dodder

¹dod·der

noun \ˈdä-dər\

Definition of DODDER

: any of a genus (Cuscuta) of wiry twining vines of the morning-glory family that are highly deficient in chlorophyll, are parasitic on other plants, and have tiny scales instead of leaves

Origin of DODDER

Middle English doder; akin to Middle High German toter dodder, egg yolk

First Known Use: 13th century

Rhymes with DODDER

fodder, khaddar, Modder, nodder, plodder, prodder, solder, wadder

²dodder

intransitive verb

dod·dereddod·der·ing \ˈdä-d(ə-)riŋ\

Definition of DODDER

1

: to tremble or shake from weakness or age

2

: to progress feebly and unsteadily <was doddering down the walk>

— dod·der·er \-dər-ər\ noun

Examples of DODDER

1. <was doddering down the walk outside the nursing home>

Origin of DODDER

Middle English dadiren

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to DODDER

Synonyms

careen, stagger, lurch, reel, teeter, totter, waddle

Related Words

rock, roll, seesaw, swag, sway, waver, weave, wobble (also wabble); barge, blunder, clomp, clump, flounder, galumph, lumber, lump, pound, scuff, scuffle, shamble, shuffle, stamp, stomp, stumble, tramp, tromp

Rhymes with DODDER

fodder, nodder, plodder, prodder, solder, wadder

dodder

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Dodder (Cuscuta gronovii)—Russ Kinne—Photo Researchers

Any of the leafless, twining, parasitic vines (see parasitism) that make up the genus Cuscuta in the morning glory family (Convolvulaceae), containing 145 species found throughout temperate and tropical regions. The stringlike stems may be yellow, orange, pink, or brown. Many species have been introduced with their host plants into new areas. Dodders contain no chlorophyll, instead absorbing water and food through rootlike organs called haustoria that penetrate the tissue of a host plant and may kill it. Dodder can do great damage to crops of clover, alfalfa, flax, hops, and beans. The best control is to remove the plant from fields by hand and to prevent its accidental introduction.