net·tle [nettlenettlesnettlednettling] noun, verb BrE [ˈnetl] NAmE [ˈnetl] noun (alsoˈstinging nettle) a wild plant with leaves that have pointed edges, are covered in fine hairs and sting if you touch them see grasp the nettle at ↑graspv.
Word Origin: Old English netle, netele, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch netel and German Nessel. The verb dates from late Middle English.
Example Bank: •The butterflies lay their eggs on nettles. •The nettles had spread and now covered half the garden. •There was an old car half buried in the nettles.
verb usually passive ~ sb | it nettles sb that… (informal, especially BrE) to make sb slightly angry Syn: ↑annoy •My remarks clearly nettled her. Verb forms:
Word Origin: Old English netle, netele, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch netel and German Nessel. The verb dates from late Middle English.
(also ˈstinging nettle)