pilewort

American

[pahyl-wurt, -wawrt] / ˈpaɪlˌwɜrt, -ˌwɔrt /

noun

Also called fireweed. a weedy composite plant, Erechtites hieracifolia, having narrow flower heads enclosed in green bracts.
a North American figwort, Scrophularia marilandica, having small, greenish flowers.
lesser celandine.

pilewort British

/ ˈpaɪlˌwɜːt /

noun

any of several plants, such as lesser celandine, thought to be effective in treating piles

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of pilewort

1570–80; pile ⁴ + wort ¹, so called from its use in medicine

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The pilewort rears her joyous head, To the sunbeam widely spread, Whilst her little glossy eye Glows with a deep and yellow dye.

From Project Gutenberg

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023