sorrel

¹sor·rel

noun \ˈsȯr-əl, ˈsär-\

Definition of SORREL

1

: a sorrel-colored animal; especially : a light bright chestnut horse often with white mane and tail — compare ¹chestnut 4, ²bay 1

2

: a brownish orange to light brown

Origin of SORREL

Middle English sorel, noun & adjective, from Anglo-French, from sor red, auburn, probably of Germanic origin; akin to Middle Dutch soor dry, barren, Old English sēar dry — more at sere

First Known Use: 15th century

Rhymes with SORREL

aural, chloral, choral, coral, floral, laurel, moral, oral, quarrel

²sorrel

noun

Definition of SORREL

: any of various plants or plant parts with sour juice: as

a : any of various docks (as Rumex acetosa and R. acetosella); also : the leaves used as a potherb

b : wood sorrel

Origin of SORREL

Middle English sorel, from Anglo-French surele, from sur, siur sour, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German sūr sour — more at sour

First Known Use: 15th century

sorrel

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Any of several hardy perennial herbs of the buckwheat family, widespread in temperate regions. Sheep sorrel (Rumex acetosella), a weed native to Europe and widespread in North America, is an attractive but troublesome invader in lawns, gardens, meadows, and grassy slopes. It has slender, triangular leaves and tiny yellow or reddish flowers. The pungent, sour leaves are used as a vegetable, as a flavouring in omelets and sauces, in soups, and, when young, in salads. Two related species are garden sorrel (R. acetosa) and French sorrel (R. scutatus), both found throughout Europe and Asia. Wood sorrels, unrelated plants in the family Oxalidaceae, belong to the genus Oxalis (see oxalis).