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Glite Dictionary
common speedwell

common speedwell

9.9
A small hairy plant that lives for many years with pale blue or lilac flowers
  • noun
  • UK
translation icon : verónica común
  • Many gardeners appreciate the delicate blossoms of common speedwell in spring.

Examples

  • The common speedwell prefers moist, grassy habitats in fields and meadows.

  • I found a patch of common speedwell near the river.

  • During our walk, we identified some common speedwell growing along the hedge.

  • The common speedwell blooms in spring.

  • During our walk, we identified some common speedwell growing along the hedge.

  • Many gardeners appreciate the delicate blossoms of common speedwell in spring.

  • The common speedwell prefers moist, grassy habitats in fields and meadows.

Synonyms

Veronica officinalis
vscommon speedwell
  • Specialized
9.0

A small common European plant with hairy stems and pale blue or lilac flowers

is the common everyday name rather than the formal botanical name
gypsyweed
vscommon speedwell
  • NSFW
9.9

A hairy European plant with pale blue or lilac flowers in small clusters

uses a precise botanical term for the flower clusters and names the genus

Surface Forms

common speedwell singular
common speedwells plural

Morphology

common + speedwell

The noun phrase is fully compositional: 'common' (frequently occurring) simply modifies the noun 'speedwell' (a plant in the genus Veronica), so the overall meaning — a frequently occurring species of speedwell — is directly derivable from the parts. This straightforward adjective + noun pattern is cross-linguistically ordinary and would be immediately understandable to a B1 learner who knows both words.

Etymology

Common speedwell gets its name from an old folk idea: people long ago used the little plant as a simple medicine and believed it could help you speed to well, that is, 'get better' quickly. That's why the name links the words speed and well to this small flowering herb.