nettle

nettle
{{11}}nettle (n.) stinging plant, O.E. netele, from P.Gmc. *natilon (Cf. O.S. netila, M.Du. netele, Du. netel, Ger. Nessel, M.Da. nædlæ "nettle"), dim. of *naton, perhaps from PIE root *ned- "to twist, knot" (see NET (Cf. net) (n.)). "[N]ettles or plants of closely related genera such as hemp were used as a source of fiber" [Watkins].
{{12}}nettle (v.) c.1400, "to beat with nettles," from NETTLE (Cf. nettle) (n.). Figurative sense of "irritate, provoke" is from 1560s. Related: NETTLED (Cf. Nettled); nettling.

Etymology dictionary. 2014.

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  • Nettle — Net tle, n. [AS. netele; akin to D. netel, G. nessel, OHG. nezz[ i]la, nazza, Dan. nelde, n[ a]lde, Sw. n[ a]ssla; cf, Lith. notere.] (Bot.) A plant of the genus {Urtica}, covered with minute sharp hairs containing a poison that produces a… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • nettle — ► NOUN ▪ a plant having jagged leaves covered with stinging hairs. ► VERB ▪ annoy. ● grasp the nettle Cf. ↑grasp the nettle ORIGIN Old English …   English terms dictionary

  • nettle — [net′ l] n. [ME netle < OE netele, akin to Ger nessel < IE base * ned , to twist together > NET1: from the use of such plants as a source of spinning fiber] 1. any of a genus (Urtica) of annual and perennial weeds of the nettle family… …   English World dictionary

  • Nettle — Net tle, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Nettled}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Nettling}.] To fret or sting; to irritate or vex; to cause to experience sensations of displeasure or uneasiness not amounting to violent anger. [1913 Webster] The princes were so nettled… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • nettle — index aggravate (annoy), badger, discompose, disturb, hector, incense, irritate, offend ( …   Law dictionary

  • nettle — provoke, exasperate, *irritate, aggravate, rile, peeve Analogous words: *annoy, irk, bother, vex: disturb, perturb, agitate, upset, *discompose: fret, chafe, gall (see ABRADE) …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • nettle — [v] provoke, upset annoy, chafe, disgust, disturb, exasperate, fret, get*, goad, harass, huff, incense, insult, irritate, miff, peeve*, pester, pet, pique, put out*, rile, roil, ruffle, snit*, stew*, sting*, tease, tiff*, vex; concepts 7,14,19… …   New thesaurus

  • Nettle — Nettles redirects here. For people with this name, see Nettles (surname). For other uses, see Nettle (cryptographic library). Nettle Stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) …   Wikipedia

  • nettle — /ˈnɛtl/ (say netl) noun 1. Also, stinging nettle. any plant of the genus Urtica, comprising widely distributed herbs armed with stinging hairs. 2. any of various allied or similar plants, as Gympie nettle. 3. → dead nettle. –verb (t) (nettled,… …  

  • nettle — I UK [ˈnet(ə)l] / US noun [countable] Word forms nettle : singular nettle plural nettles a tall plant with pointed leaves and small hairs that sting if you touch them • grasp the nettle II UK [ˈnet(ə)l] / US verb [transitive] Word forms nettle :… …   English dictionary

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