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spurge

[ spurj ]
/ spɜrdʒ /
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noun
any of numerous plants of the genus Euphorbia, having a milky juice and flowers with no petals or sepals.
QUIZ
THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?
Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.
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In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…
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
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use spurge in a sentence

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
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