noun / verb
nettle
NET-ul/nˈɛtʌl/
A plant with hairs that sting the skin.
The nettle's hairy leaf brushes his leg and irritates the skin.
Etymology
The plant name became a verb meaning to apply or beat someone with nettles. Its physical sting supplied the image for irritating or provoking someone.
More examples
- Wear thick gloves when pulling nettles from the garden.
- Tiny hairs on the nettle's leaves can sting your skin.
- A tall nettle grows beside the garden wall.
Forms
nettle · nettles · nettled · nettling
nettlesome adjective — Causing persistent irritation or annoyance.