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Glite Dictionary
chafeweed

chafeweed

9.9
A wild plant that lives for many years with soft woolly leaves and dull white flowers on a long stem
  • noun
  • UK
translation icon : hierba de rozadura
  • The fields were overgrown with chafeweed by late summer.

Examples

  • Many gardeners consider chafeweed a nuisance plant.

  • Botanists identified the unusual plant as chafeweed during their survey.

  • She brushed aside the chafeweed to make a clear path.

  • The chafeweed grew abundantly in the garden.

  • The fields were overgrown with chafeweed by late summer.

  • Many gardeners consider chafeweed a nuisance plant.

  • Botanists identified the unusual plant as chafeweed during their survey.

Synonyms

Gnaphalium sylvaticum
vschafeweed
  • Specialized
9.9

A wild plant that grows every year with soft woolly leaves and small white flower spikes

describes the same plant but with dull white flowers rather than dirty ones
wood cudweed
vschafeweed
9.9

A small plant with woolly leaves and pale white flowers in damp shady woods

describes the plant but notes dull white flowers instead of dirty white tone

Surface Forms

chafeweed singular
chafeweeds plural

Morphology

chafeweed = chafe + weed (semi-transparent) = chafe + weed

The compound is analyzable as 'chafe' + 'weed' so the components are recognizable, but the specific botanical referent (a particular woolly-leaved plant) is a conventional name not fully predictable from the parts.

Etymology

Chafeweed comes from chafe ('to rub and make sore') and weed ('plant'). Its woolly, rough leaves can rub the skin and cause soreness, so the name fits the plant's rubbing, irritating feel.