purslane Hear it!

purslane definition

purs·lane (pʉrs′lin, -lān′)

noun

any of various prostrate weeds (genus Portulaca) of the purslane family, with pink, fleshy stems and small, yellow, short-lived flowers; esp., an annual (P. oleracea) sometimes used as a potherb and in salads

Etymology: ME purcelane < MFr porcelaine < LL porcilaca, purslane, altered < L portulaca: see portulaca

adjective

designating a family (Portulacaceae, order Caryophyllales) of dicotyledonous plants, including claytonia and portulaca

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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