Definition

Noun: * A perennial plant (Urtica dioica): A Eurasian nettle species now widespread in North America, characterized by broad, coarsely toothed leaves covered in numerous stinging hairs that inject irritants upon contact.

Usage and Examples

• Noun:
  • Wear gloves when clearing the garden to avoid the stinging nettle.
  • Despite its sting, the stinging nettle can be cooked and eaten like spinach.
  • The field was overgrown with stinging nettles.

Advanced Usage

• Botanical Context: In botanical or foraging contexts, "stinging nettle" specifically refers to , distinguishing it from other, non-stinging or annual nettle species.
  • Herbalists often harvest young stinging nettle leaves in spring for tea.

Variants and Related Words

• Nettle (n): A more general term for plants of the genus , which may or may not have stinging properties. "Stinging nettle" is a specific type of nettle.
  • Not all nettles are stinging nettles.
• Deadnettle (n): A plant (genus ) with a similar leaf shape but no stinging hairs.

Synonyms

• Common nettle: Another name for the same plant, .

Related Phrases and Idioms

• To grasp the nettle (Idiom): To tackle a difficult problem boldly and directly. This idiom references the idea that grasping a nettle firmly may hurt less than brushing against it cautiously.
  • The manager decided to grasp the nettle and address the team's conflicts head-on.

Noun

1. perennial Eurasian nettle established in North America having broad coarsely toothed leaves with copious stinging hairs