释义 |
net·tle I. \ˈned.əl, -etəl\ noun (-s) Usage: often attributive Etymology: Middle English nettle, netle, from Old English netle, netel, netele; akin to Middle Dutch netel nettle, Old High German nazza, nezzila, Old Norse nötr, Middle Irish nenaid, Greek adikē nettle, and perhaps to Old English net, nett net — more at net 1. : a plant of the genus Urtica or the family Urticaceae 2. : any of numerous prickly or stinging plants not of the family Urticaceae — usually used with preceding modifier II. verb (nettled ; nettled ; nettling \-d.əliŋ, -t(ə)liŋ\ ; nettles) Etymology: Middle English netlen, nettyllen, from netle, nettle, n. transitive verb 1. a. : to whip or sting with nettles b. : to cause to be stung by nettles 2. : to arouse displeasure, impatience, or anger in : provoke, vex < ashamed at having been nettled by so minor a cause — Edwin O'Connor > 3. : to stir up : incite intransitive verb : to become irritated, vexed, or provoked Synonyms: see irritate III. noun or knet·tle \“\; or knit·tle \ˈnid.əl, -itəl\ (-s) Etymology: alteration of earlier knettel, from Middle English knittel, from Old English cnyttels string, sinew, from cnyttan to knit, bind, tie — more at knit 1. : a small line made of rope yarn and used especially for hammock clews or seizings 2. nettles plural : halves of yarns in the end of a rope twisted up for pointing |