urticate

verb

ur·ti·cate ˈər-tə-ˌkāt

urticated; urticating

intransitive verb

: to produce wheals or itching

especially : to induce hives

urtication

ˌər-tə-ˈkā-shən

noun

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web Urticating hairs, bristly and very sharp, cover a tarantula’s abdomen and legs and make the spider very unappetizing for any potential predator. —

Michael Bogan, National Geographic, 30 Aug. 2016

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

Word History

Etymology

Medieval Latin urticatus, past participle of urticare to sting, from Latin urtica

First Known Use

1843, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of urticate was in 1843

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Urticate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/urticate. Accessed 29 Jan. 2023.

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Medical Definition

urticate

intransitive verb

ur·ti·cate ˈərt-ə-ˌkāt

urticated; urticating

: to produce wheals or itching

especially : to induce hives

urtication

ˌərt-ə-ˈkā-shən

noun

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