loosestrife

loose·strife

noun \ˈlü(s)-ˌstrīf\

Definition of LOOSESTRIFE

1

: any of a genus (Lysimachia) of plants of the primrose family with leafy stems and usually yellow or white flowers

2

: any of a genus (Lythrum, family Lythraceae, the loosestrife family) of herbs having entire leaves and including some with showy spikes of purple flowers; especially : purple loosestrife

Origin of LOOSESTRIFE

intended as translation of Greek lysimacheios loosestrife (as if from lysis act of loosing + machesthai to fight) — more at lysis

First Known Use: 1548

Rhymes with LOOSESTRIFE

alewife, case knife, clasp knife, drawknife, farmwife, fishwife, flick-knife, folklife, good life, goodwife, half-life, highlife, housewife, jackknife, lowlife, midlife, midwife, nightlife, oldwife, penknife, pro-life, real-life, shelf life, steak knife, still life, true-life, wakerife, whole-life, wildlife