Nettle word meaning and definition

[noun] any of numerous plants having stinging hairs that cause skin irritation on contact (especially of the genus Urtica or family Urticaceae)
[verb] goad or provoke,as by constant criticism; "He needled her with his sarcastic remarks"
[verb] cause annoyance in; disturb, esp. by minor irritations; "Mosquitoes buzzing in my ear really bothers me"; "It irritates me that she never closes the door after she leaves"

\Net"tle\, n. [AS. netele; akin to D. netel, G. nessel, OHG. nezz["i]la, nazza, Dan. nelde, n["a]lde, Sw. n["a]ssla; cf, Lith. notere.] (Bot.) A plant of the genus {Urtica}, covered with minute sharp hairs containing a poison that produces a stinging sensation. {Urtica gracitis} is common in the Northern, and {U. cham[ae]dryoides} in the Southern, United States. the common European species, {U. urens} and {U. dioica}, are also found in the Eastern united States. {U. pilulifera} is the Roman nettle of England. Note: The term nettle has been given to many plants related to, or to some way resembling, the true nettle; as: {Australian nettle}, a stinging tree or shrub of the genus {Laportea} (as {L. gigas} and {L. moroides}); -- also called {nettle tree}. {Bee nettle}, {Hemp nettle}, a species of {Galeopsis}. See under {Hemp}. {Blind nettle}, {Dead nettle}, a harmless species of {Lamium}. {False nettle} ({B[ae]hmeria cylindrica}), a plant common in the United States, and related to the true nettles. {Hedge nettle}, a species of {Stachys}. See under {Hedge}. {Horse nettle} ({Solanum Carolinense}). See under {Horse}. {nettle tree}.
(a) Same as {Hackberry}.
(b) See {Australian nettle} (above). {Spurge nettle}, a stinging American herb of the Spurge family ({Jatropha urens}). {Wood nettle}, a plant ({Laportea Canadensis}) which stings severely, and is related to the true nettles. {Nettle cloth}, a kind of thick cotton stuff, japanned, and used as a substitute for leather for various purposes. {Nettle rash} (Med.), an eruptive disease resembling the effects of whipping with nettles. {Sea nettle} (Zo["o]l.), a medusa.
\Net"tle\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Nettled}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Nettling}.] To fret or sting; to irritate or vex; to cause to experience sensations of displeasure or uneasiness not amounting to violent anger. The princes were so nettled at the scandal of this affront, that every man took it to himself. --L'Estrange.

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