dog's-tongue

dog's-tongue

A gardener plants a dog's-tongue in the herb garden.

Definition
  1. Noun:
    • Botanical term: "dog's-tongue" refers to a plant of the genus Cynoglossum, especially Cynoglossum officinale, commonly known as hound's-tongue. It is a flowering plant in the borage family (Boraginaceae), characterized by rough, tongue-shaped leaves and small, often purple or blue flowers. The name derives from the leaf's resemblance to a dog's tongue.
Usage Examples
  • Noun:
    • The field was overgrown with dog's-tongue, its bristly leaves catching on my trousers. (The plant Cynoglossum officinale was abundant.)
    • Dog's-tongue is considered a weed in many pastures, but it has historical uses in herbal medicine. (The plant has both nuisance and medicinal properties.)
Advanced Usage

  • "Dog's-tongue" in botanical contexts: The term is often used interchangeably with "hound's-tongue." It may appear in field guides or discussions of invasive species.

    • The gardener identified the plant as dog's-tongue due to its fuzzy, elongated leaves and small blue flowers. (The plant was recognized by its distinctive features.)

  • "Dog's-tongue" in herbalism: Historically, the plant was used in poultices for wounds or as a remedy for coughs, though it contains toxic alkaloids.

    • Traditional healers sometimes applied a paste of dog's-tongue leaves to soothe insect bites. (The plant had folk medicinal uses.)
Variants and Related Words

  • Hound's-tongue (n): an alternative common name for the same plant (Cynoglossum officinale).

    • Hound's-tongue and dog's-tongue refer to the same species. (These names are synonyms in botany.)

  • Cynoglossum (n): the genus name for plants including dog's-tongue, from Greek kyon (dog) and glossa (tongue).

    • The genus Cynoglossum includes over 70 species worldwide. (This is the scientific classification.)
Synonyms
  • Hound's-tongue: the most common synonym, used interchangeably.
  • Cynoglossum officinale: the scientific name for the common species.
Related Idioms
  • No idioms or phrasal verbs: "Dog's-tongue" is a specific botanical term and does not appear in common idiomatic expressions or phrasal verbs in English.