stinging nettle

noun

|Updated on: 9 May 2018

Definition of stinging nettle

: nettle 1; especially : a Eurasian nettle (Urtica dioica) widely naturalized in North America that has numerous hairs extremely irritating to the skin

Recent Examples of stinging nettle from the Web

That means a few pieces of comfortable, nondescript clothing, waterproof hiking boots (already broken in), lightweight wool socks, a waterproof jacket, a hat, and garden gloves (to avoid stinging nettles).

— bridget hallinan, Condé Nast Traveler, "African Safari 101: What to Pack (And What to Leave Behind)," 19 Apr. 2018
Andrew Wood, who owns Center City’s Russet with his wife, Kristin, started getting watercress, stinging nettles, and other wild greens about two weeks early.

— allison steele, Philly.com, "For chefs, spring means greens are on the menu," 14 Mar. 2018
As in Andersen’s telling, the only way Eliza can break the spell on her brothers is to weave shirts for them of stinging nettles without once talking or weeping.

— WSJ, "Children’s Books: Face-to-Face With the Classics," 23 Mar. 2018
Look for stinging nettles, watercress and wild greens on a menu near you.

— aubrey nagle, Philly.com, "Students walk out, Lamb declares victory, Krasner won't oppose Mill's release | Morning Newsletter," 15 Mar. 2018
The tenant lineup of the Ferry Building has steadily evolved along the way, often voiced with the pain of a thousand stinging nettles.

— paolo lucchesi, San Francisco Chronicle, "Does the Ferry Building still reflect the Bay Area’s food culture?," 9 Mar. 2018
Pilea are in that most irritating family of plants that includes stinging nettle, the Urticaceae.

— kenneth setzer, miamiherald, "This plant’s many species range from houseplants to ground cover to shrubs | Miami Herald," 22 Feb. 2018
Organic or wild greens Dark leafy greens, fresh green herbs, stinging nettles, and wild garlic leaves are a treasure trove of nutrients that act as antioxidants and also alkalize the body.

— amber rose, Bon Appetit, "Gwyneth Paltrow's Former Chef Swears by These Superfoods," 25 Oct. 2017
Until relatively recently, many of the pricey, sought-after and hard-to-find greens at markets were considered weeds: Farmers used to throw out stinging nettles, lamb’s quarters and nasturtiums instead of selling them.

— amy scattergood, sacbee, "Veggie greens yield over-the-top tastes | The Sacramento Bee," 10 Oct. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'stinging nettle.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of stinging nettle

1525

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

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Medical Dictionary

stinging nettle

noun

medical Definition of stinging nettle

: nettle 1; especially : a perennial Eurasian nettle (Urtica dioica) widely naturalized in North America and having numerous hairs that are extremely irritating to the skin