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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

Origin: 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

See spurge in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

Any of various plants of the genus Euphorbia, characteristically having milky juice and small unisexual flowers that are surrounded by a cuplike structure composed of fused bracts.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English

Origin: , from Old French espurge

Origin: , from espurgier, to purge (from its use as a purgative)

Origin: , from Latin expūrgāre; see expurgate

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