sheep sorrel

American  

noun

1. a slender weed, Rumex acetosella, of the buckwheat family, found in poor, dry soils, having arrow-shaped leaves with an acid taste.

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sheep sorrel British  

noun

1. a polygonaceous plant, Rumex acetosella, of the N hemisphere, having slightly bitter-tasting leaves and small reddish flowers

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Etymology

Origin of sheep sorrel

First recorded in 1570–80

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

sheep sorrel

Reddy resembles the common, but much-admired sheep sorrel, while I am like that tender little flower, the forget-me-not.

From Grace Harlowe's Sophomore Year at High School The Record of the Girl Chums in Work and Athletics by Flower, Jessie Graham [pseud.]

Oca: Hardy, edible root, related to sheep sorrel.

From Inca Land Explorations in the Highlands of Peru by Bingham, Hiram

Gather a bunch of sheep sorrel leaves, wrap them in a cabbage leaf and roast in the oven.

From Mother's Remedies Over One Thousand Tried and Tested Remedies from Mothers of the United States and Canada by Ritter, Thomas Jefferson

Now pull up the roots of a plant, as, for example, sheep sorrel, Jimson weed, or some other plant.

From Agriculture for Beginners Revised Edition by Burkett, Charles William

Dandelions, sheep sorrel, poke leaves and such, though not used in civil life, were welcome to us, for they were much better than no salad at all.

From From the Rapidan to Richmond and the Spottsylvania Campaign A Sketch in Personal Narration of the Scenes a Soldier Saw by Dame, William Meade