field speedwell
- noun
:
verónica de campo
- A patch of field speedwell brightened the edge of the path with its tiny blue flowers.
Examples
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Gardeners often struggle to control field speedwell in their lawns due to its rapid spread.
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The botanist identified the bluish petals as those of field speedwell growing among the crops.
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The field speedwell blooms beautifully in spring.
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Many gardeners appreciate the field speedwell for its vibrant color.
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A patch of field speedwell brightened the edge of the path with its tiny blue flowers.
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The botanist identified the bluish petals as those of field speedwell growing among the crops.
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Many gardeners appreciate the field speedwell for its vibrant color.
Synonyms
1
9.8
A small flowering plant with blue or purple flowers that grows in gardens and fields
A low European plant with small blue flowers on long stalks now found in North America
Surface Forms
Morphology
The noun phrase is a straightforward modifier + head compound: 'field' (place) modifies 'speedwell' (a Veronica flower), so the meaning 'a kind of speedwell found in fields' is directly derivable from the constituents. This habitat-based compounding pattern is cross-linguistically common and therefore a B1 learner who knows both words would readily infer the MWE's meaning.
Etymology
Field speedwell may come from an old belief that the little blue flower helped people 'get well quickly', so the parts speed and well promised quick recovery. That's why the name is now used for this small blue plant often found in fields.