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Glite Dictionary
alehoof

alehoof

1 9.9
A trailing European plant in the mint family with round leaves and small purple flowers
  • noun
  • Archaic
translation icon : alehoof
  • The leaves of alehoof were traditionally used in herbal remedies.

Examples

  • The alehoof in her garden attracts many bees.

  • Gardeners appreciate alehoof for its trailing habit and small purple flowers.

  • Alehoof can be found growing wild in many North American gardens.

  • I bought some alehoofs for my hanging baskets.

  • The garden was filled with vibrant alehoof, which added a lovely touch to the landscape.

  • When the sun shone on the alehoof, its purplish flowers seemed to glow in the light.

  • I knew that alehoof would work well in my hanging baskets.

Synonyms

ground ivy
vsalehoof
  • UK
7.7

A low green plant that grows along the ground with round leaves and small purple flowers

is the alternate traditional name sometimes used for that plant
Glechoma hederacea
vsalehoof
  • Specialized
9.9

A low, spreading plant like a small mint with round leaves and purple flowers

is the everyday name rather than the scientific label
gill-over-the-ground
vsalehoof
  • Archaic
9.9

A low plant like mint that spreads across the ground with round leaves and small purple flowers

focuses on its European origin and common garden use
field balm
vsalehoof
  • UK
9.9

A trailing plant like mint with rounded leaves and small purple flowers often grown in hanging baskets

is the simpler descriptive name noting leaves and flowers
runaway robin
vsalehoof
  • UK
9.9

A small plant often grown in hanging baskets with trailing stems, rounded leaves and small purple flowers

is framed as a familiar garden name rather than an origin label
Nepeta hederaceae
vsalehoof
  • Specialized
9.9

A trailing mint plant with rounded leaves and small purple flowers often used in hanging baskets

keeps a plain descriptive account for general garden use

Surface Forms

alehoof singular
alehoofs plural

Morphology

alehoof = ale + hoof (opaque) = ale + hoof

Although historically formed from 'ale' + 'hoof' (a plant associated with ale), the modern name refers to a specific plant (ground-ivy) and is not derivable by a B1 learner from the component words.

Etymology

Alehoof likely comes from an old link to ale ('beer') because people once used this trailing plant when making ale, and the second part hoof probably comes from a word for 'plant' or 'herb'. So, the name reminds us that this ground-ivy is a small herb that was used with ale.