nettle

 
Pronunciation: /ˈnɛt(ə)l/

noun

  • a herbaceous plant which has jagged leaves covered with stinging hairs.
    • Genus Urtica, family Urticaceae: several species, in particular the Eurasian stinging nettle (U. dioica)
  • used in names of other plants with leaves of a similar appearance to those of the nettle, e.g. dead-nettle.

verb

[with object]
  • 1irritate or annoy (someone): ‘I was only asking,’ Jess said, nettled
  • 2 archaic sting with nettles.

Phrases

grasp the nettle

see grasp.

Origin:

Old English netle, netele, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch netel and German Nessel. The verb dates from late Middle English