toothwort

noun

tooth·​wort ˈtüth-ˌwərt How to pronounce toothwort (audio)
-ˌwȯrt
1
: a European parasitic plant (Lathraea squamaria) of the broomrape family having pink-tinged white flowers and tooth-shaped scaly leaves
2
: any of several cresses (genus Dentaria) that have usually fleshy scaly rhizomes and are sometimes placed in the same genus as the bitter cresses

Examples of toothwort in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Wildflowers, including wild geranium, phlox and toothwort, and several species of oaks grow there as well. Susan Degrane, chicagotribune.com, 8 July 2021 The Pollinator Habitat Expansion Initiative involves mowing less and planting varieties of milkweed, clover, ironweed, wingstem, columbine, joe pye weed and two-leaved toothwort. USA TODAY, 16 July 2019 Take advantage of the fact that hostas emerge late and plant the large open expanses with spring-flowering bulbs and ephemeral wildflowers such as toothworts (Dentaria), spring beauties (Claytonia), and trout lilies (Erythronium). Kris Wetherbee, Good Housekeeping, 7 Aug. 2018

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'toothwort.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1597, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of toothwort was in 1597

Dictionary Entries Near toothwort

Cite this Entry

“Toothwort.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/toothwort. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on toothwort

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!