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Glite Dictionary
nettle family

nettle family

7.7
A family of flowering plants that often have stinging hairs
  • noun
  • /ˈnɛtəl ˈfæmɪli/
  • Specialized
translation icon : familia de las ortigas
  • Many edible greens, such as stinging nettle, belong to the nettle family.

Examples

  • The nettle family includes a variety of plants that often have stinging hairs.

  • Many species in the nettle family thrive in damp environments.

  • Research on the nettle family has revealed important medicinal properties among its members.

  • The nettle family includes plants known for their stinging hairs.

  • Many edible greens, such as stinging nettle, belong to the nettle family.

  • Research on the nettle family has revealed important medicinal properties among its members.

  • The nettle family includes a variety of plants that often have stinging hairs.

Synonyms

Urticaceae
vsnettle family
  • Specialized
9.9

A family of flowering plants like nettles that often have stinging hairs

is the formal taxonomic name used by scientists
family Urticaceae
vsnettle family
  • Specialized
9.7

A group of flowering plants like nettles that have stinging hairs

is about the group's species and their stinging hairs rather than classification

Surface Forms

nettle family singular
nettle families plural

Morphology

nettle + family

The meaning 'a family of flowering plants that includes nettles' is directly derivable from combining 'nettle' (the plant) with 'family' (a taxonomic grouping). The 'X family' biological naming pattern is common and cross-linguistically familiar, so a B1 learner who knows both words will readily understand the phrase.

Etymology

The name nettle family comes from the common plant nettle, which has fine hairs that 'sting' when you touch them. So nettle family means the group or family of related plants that often have those 'stinging hairs'.