nettle etymology

Etymology:

  • Middle English: netele, nettle
  • Old English: netele
  • Proto-Germanic: *netilaz
  • Proto-Indo-European: *ned- ("to sting, prick")

Meaning:

  • Any of several plants of the genus Urtica, which have stinging hairs on their leaves and stems.

Origin:

The word "nettle" comes from the Proto-Indo-European root *ned-, which means "to sting, prick." This root is also found in the Latin word "urtica," which is the scientific name for the genus of plants that includes nettles.

The Proto-Germanic word *netilaz likely refers to the painful stinging sensation caused by the plant's hairs. This word evolved into the Old English word "netele," which was then adopted into Middle English as "netle." The modern spelling "nettle" was first used in the 16th century.

Additional Information:

  • The stinging hairs of nettles contain a chemical called histamine, which causes an allergic reaction when it comes into contact with human skin.
  • Nettles are used in traditional medicine to treat a variety of ailments, including arthritis, gout, and eczema.
  • Nettles are also a nutritious food source, and they can be eaten raw, cooked, or dried.

nettle relate terms

  • nettled

    Etymology Middle English netele from Old English netele Proto West Germanic natila

  • nettle

    Etymology Middle English netele nettle Old English netele Proto Germanic netilaz P

  • nettlesome

    Etymology Late 15th century as nettilsome from Middle English netlesome from nettle

  • nettle

    Etymology Middle English netele nettle Old English netele Proto Germanic netilaz P

  • annex

    Etymology From Latin annectere meaning to attach fasten From ad meaning to From

  • annexation

    Etymology of Annexation The word annexation originates from the Latin term annectere

  • connect

    Etymology Latin nectere meaning to bind tie or join Meaning To establish a l

  • connection

    Etymology Latin connectere to fasten together bind Proto Indo European keng

  • denouement

    Etymology French dénouement Latin denodāre to untie loosen disentangle de un

  • nettle

    Etymology Middle English netele nettle Old English netele Proto Germanic netilaz P

  • nexus

    Etymology The word nexus comes from the Latin word nectere which means to bind tog

  • node

    Etymology The word node originates from Latin nōdus meaning knot Meaning In co

  • nodule

    Etymology Latin nodulus French nodule Meaning A small solid rounded lump or

  • noose

    Etymology and Origin The word noose comes from the Middle English word noose which i

  • annoy

    Etymology The word annoy comes from the Old French word anoier meaning to cause pa

  • rile

    Etymology and Origin The name Rile has multiple etymological origins English From

  • falcate

    Etymology The word falcate originates from the Latin word falx which means sickle

  • anemone

    Etymology The word anemone originates from the Greek word anemone meaning daughter

  • Harry

    Etymology Harry is derived from the Germanic name Heinrich which is composed of two elem

  • gravel

    Etymology Middle English gravele gravil 13th century Old French gravele gravel 1

  • burn

    Etymology The word burn comes from the Old English word byrnan which means to burn

  • antagonize

    Etymology From Middle French antagonizer from Late Latin antagonista from Greek antag

  • chafe

    Etymology and Meaning of Chafe The word chafe has multiple origins Old English