medick
Noun 1. A type of flowering plant: Any of several Old World herbs belonging to the genus Medicago, characterized by small flowers and leaves composed of three leaflets (trifoliate compound leaves). These plants are often used for forage or as green manure.
The word "medick" is a common name used in botany and agriculture to refer to specific plants, primarily clovers. It is a countable noun. * The field was covered in a low-growing medick. * Farmers often plant a medick, such as alfalfa, to enrich the soil.
- As a taxonomic common name: "Medick" is frequently used in conjunction with a modifier to specify a particular species within the genus .
- Black medick (Medicago lupulina) is common in lawns and pastures.
- Spotted medick (Medicago arabica) has distinctive markings on its leaves.
- Medicago: (noun) The scientific genus name for all medicks.
- Alfalfa: (noun) A specific, highly cultivated species of medick () important as livestock forage.
- Bur clover: (noun) A common name for some medick species, referring to their coiled, spiny seed pods.
- Calvary clover: (noun) Another common name for or similar species.
- Trefoil: (noun) A general term for plants with three-part leaves, which includes medicks.
- Clover: (noun) A closely related group of plants in the family Fabaceae; medicks are sometimes called "medick clovers."
"Medick" refers specifically to plants of the genus Medicago. It does not have other common meanings unrelated to botany. The spelling "medic" is also accepted and is more common in American English, though it can be confused with the unrelated word for a medical professional.
- any of several Old World herbs of the genus Medicago having small flowers and trifoliate compound leaves