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spurge

[ spurj ]
/ spɜrdʒ /

noun

any of numerous plants of the genus Euphorbia, having a milky juice and flowers with no petals or sepals.

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Compare spurge family.

Origin of spurge

1350–1400; Middle English <Middle French espurge, noun derivative of espurgier to cleanse <Latin expurgāre.See ex-1, purge

Words nearby spurge

spunware, spun yarn, spur, spur blight, spur gall, spurge, spur gear, spur gearing, spurge family, spurge laurel, Spurgeon
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for spurge

British Dictionary definitions for spurge

spurge
/ (spɜːdʒ) /

noun

any of various euphorbiaceous plants of the genus Euphorbia that have milky sap and small flowers typically surrounded by conspicuous bracts. Some species have purgative properties

Word Origin for spurge

C14: from Old French espurge, from espurgier to purge, from Latin expurgāre to cleanse, from ex- 1 + purgāre to purge
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