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Glite Dictionary
gypsywort

gypsywort

9.9
A hairy herb that grows in wet places with small white flowers
  • noun
  • NSFW
translation icon : gipsywort
  • Gypsywort is often found growing along riverbanks and marshes in Europe.

Examples

  • Several insects were attracted to the gypsywort blooming by the pond.

  • The gypsywort thrives near the riverbank.

  • The herbalist explained that gypsywort was once used as a natural dye.

  • Have you ever seen a gypsywort plant?

  • The gypsywort grows abundantly in the wetlands where its distinctive white flowers attract many insects.

  • We found gypsywort flourishing along the bank of the river, its leaves shimmering in the sunlight.

  • During our walk in the marsh, we spotted gypsywort among the other wild herbs growing near the water.

Synonyms

Lycopus europaeus
vsgypsywort
  • Specialized
9.9

A hairy plant from Europe and Asia that grows in wet places with white two-lipped flowers

is the common English name rather than the Latin name
gipsywort
vsgypsywort
  • UK
9.9

A hairy herb from Europe and Asia with small white two-lipped flowers that grows by riverbanks and ditches

is the standard spelling used in modern references

Surface Forms

gypsywort singular
gypsyworts plural

Morphology

gypsywort = gypsy + wort (semi-transparent) = gypsy + wort

The compound clearly combines 'gypsy' and 'wort', but 'wort' is an archaic/specialized element meaning 'plant' that many learners may not recognize.

Etymology

Gypsywort is a helpful way to remember this plant: people once said 'gypsies' used it as a dark 'dye' or as a perfume, and wort is an old English word for 'plant', so the name means 'gypsy plant' and points to the hairy herb that grows in wet places.