nettle

Etymology

Definitions

1. 1

   Any plant whose foliage is covered with stinging, mildly poisonous hairs, causing an…

   Any plant whose foliage is covered with stinging, mildly poisonous hairs, causing an instant rash.

2. 2

   Certain plants that have spines or prickles

   Certain plants that have spines or prickles:

3. 3

   Certain non-stinging plants, mostly in the family Lamiaceae, that resemble the species of…

   Certain non-stinging plants, mostly in the family Lamiaceae, that resemble the species of Urtica:

4. ›+ 3 more definitionsshow fewer

   1. 4

      Loosely, anything which causes a similarly stinging rash, such as a jellyfish or sea…

      Loosely, anything which causes a similarly stinging rash, such as a jellyfish or sea nettle.

   2. 5

      Of the nettle plant and similar physical causes, to sting, causing a rash in someone.

      • The children were badly nettled after playing in the field.
      • […] I am whipp’d and scourged with rods, / Nettled and stung with pismires, when I hear / Of this vile politician, Bolingbroke.
   3. 6

      To pique, irritate, vex or provoke.

      • His Miſtreſs: vvhoſe Miſtreſs, vvhat Miſtreſs; s'life hovv that little vvord has nettled me!
      • I saw Mr. Williams was a little nettled at my Impatience […]

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