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woodruff

[woo d-ruh f, -ruhf]
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noun

any of several plants belonging to the genus Asperula or Galium, of the madder family, as G. odoratum (sweet woodruff), a fragrant plant with small white flowers.

Origin of woodruff

before 1000; Middle English woderove, Old English wudurofe, wudurife, equivalent to wudu wood1 + -rofe, -rife, element of uncertain meaning; compare German Rübe carrot

Woodruff

[woo d-ruh f]

noun

Hiram,1817–67, Canadian driver, trainer, and breeder of harness-racing horses.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for woodruff

Contemporary Examples of woodruff

Historical Examples of woodruff

  • When Woodruff's election was announced it came as a complete surprise.

    The Plum Tree

    David Graham Phillips

  • After half an hour of pumping I sent him away, detaining Woodruff.

    The Plum Tree

    David Graham Phillips

  • I should soon have substituted Woodruff for myself, in any event.

    The Plum Tree

    David Graham Phillips

  • Early in September Woodruff came to me, at Fredonia, his manner jubilant.

    The Plum Tree

    David Graham Phillips

  • I gave them their instructions; Woodruff equipped them with the necessary cash.

    The Plum Tree

    David Graham Phillips

British Dictionary definitions for woodruff

woodruff

noun

any of several rubiaceous plants of the genus Galium, esp G. odoratum (sweet woodruff), of Eurasia, which has small sweet-scented white flowers and whorls of narrow fragrant leaves used to flavour wine and liqueurs and in perfumery

Word Origin for woodruff

Old English wudurofe, from wood 1 + rōfe, related to Old High German ruoba, Middle Low German rōve (beet)root, Latin rēpere to creep
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