spurge
spurge
Definition
spurge (spʉrj)
noun
any of a genus (Euphorbia) of plants of the spurge family, with milky juice and minute, simplified flowers borne in cuplike inflorescences
Etymology: ME < MFr espurge < espurger, to purge < L expurgare: see expurgate
adjective
designating a family (Euphorbiaceae, order Euphorbiales) of dicotyledonous plants, usually with milky juice and diclinous flowers, including the poinsettia, cassava, and rubber tree
spurge
Usage Examples
Adjective modifier
- Japanese: Japanese spurge is excellent groundcover for areas of full or partial shade.
- petty: Petty Spurge ~ a weed ( or wildflower or herb ).
Modifies a noun
- laurel: An interesting plant that is quite widespread in the wood is spurge laurel, a species with dark flossy leaves.
- family: Many members of the Spurge family are poisonous, or irritant in various degrees.
- euphorbia: Uncommon species recorded within the shifting dunes include sea spurge Euphorbia paralias.
- paralias: Uncommon species recorded within the shifting dunes include sea spurge Euphorbia paralias.
- hawk: On the coast of Picardy just across the Channel I have seen it being devoured by large spurge hawk larvae.
Noun used with modifier
Browse dictionary entries near spurge
- spur track
- spur gear
- spur
- spunky
- spunk
- spun yarn
- spun sugar
- spun silk
- spun glass
- spun
