nettle

¹net·tle

noun \ˈne-t^əl\

Definition of NETTLE

1

: any of a genus (Urtica of the family Urticaceae, the nettle family) of chiefly coarse herbs armed with stinging hairs

2

: any of various prickly or stinging plants other than the true nettles (genus Urtica)

Illustration of NETTLE

Origin of NETTLE

Middle English, from Old English netel; akin to Old High German nazza nettle, Greek adikē

First Known Use: before 12th century

Other Seed Plant Terms

aubergine, box, bramble, briar, composite, perpetual, pulse, trefoil

Rhymes with NETTLE

fettle, kettle, metal, mettle, petal, settle, shtetl

²nettle

transitive verb

net·tlednet·tling \ˈnet-liŋ, ˈne-t^əl-iŋ\

Definition of NETTLE

1

: to strike or sting with or as if with nettles

2

: to arouse to sharp but transitory annoyance or anger

Examples of NETTLE

1. The mayor's recent actions have nettled some members of the community.
2. It nettles him that his younger coworker got a promotion before he did.

First Known Use of NETTLE

15th century

Related to NETTLE

Synonyms

aggravate, annoy, bother, bug, burn (up), chafe, eat, exasperate, frost, gall, get, grate, gripe, hack (off), irk, itch, nark [British], irritate, peeve, persecute, pique, put out, rasp, rile, ruffle, spite, vex

Related Words

hassle, heckle; nag; inflame (also enflame), provoke, rouse; badger, bait, bullyrag (also ballyrag), devil, hagride, harass, harry, pester, plague, tease; anger, antagonize, enrage, incense, infuriate, madden, rankle, roil; agitate, discomfort, discompose, disquiet, distress, exercise, freak (out), fret, perturb, undo, unhinge, unsettle, upset, worry; affront, insult, miff, offend, outrage

Near Antonyms

appease, conciliate, mollify, oblige, pacify, placate, propitiate; delight, gladden, gratify, please, satisfy; assure, cheer, comfort, console, content, quiet, reassure, solace, soothe

See Synonym Discussion at irritate

Other Seed Plant Terms

aubergine, box, bramble, briar, composite, perpetual, pulse, trefoil

Rhymes with NETTLE

fettle, metal, settle

net·tle

noun \ˈnet-^əl\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of NETTLE

1

: any plant of the genus Urtica (family Urticaceae, the nettle family)

2

: any of various prickly or stinging plants other than one of the genus Urtica