woodruff

[ woo d-ruh f, -ruhf ]

/ ˈwʊd rəf, -ˌrʌf /

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.

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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

Words nearby woodruff

woodpecker, woodpile, woodprint, woodridge, woodrow, woodruff, woodruff key, woodrush, woods, woods colt, woods, tiger

Definition for woodruff (2 of 2)

Woodruff

[ woo d-ruh f ]

/ ˈwʊd rəf /

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. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for woodruff

Woodruff pressed about whether the affair was completely over.
The Prosecution Rests: Trial Now in Edwards Defense Team's Hands|Diane Dimond|May 10, 2012|DAILY BEAST
There was a slight drift of woodruff, sweet new-mown hay, scenting the air under the boughs.
The White Peacock|D. H. (David Herbert) Lawrence
But Woodruff, when confronted with these contradictions, held his ground well, even in the face of a vigorous cross-examination.
The Crime of the Century|Henry M. Hunt
Mr. Dilly was in the Woodruff District to build a backfire against this conflagration of the county superintendent.
The Brown Mouse|Herbert Quick

I withdrew, understanding that he wished to speak in private with President Woodruff and his councillors.
Under the Prophet in Utah|Frank J. Cannon and Harvey J. O'Higgins
The doctor raised his voice, and called, in a lusty tone, "Woodruff!"
Colin Clink, Volume I (of III)|Charles Hooton

British Dictionary definitions for woodruff

woodruff

/ (ˈwʊdrʌf) /

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