kidney vetch

8.6

A plant that lives for many years with round heads of yellow or red flowers in meadows

noun

: vetch riñón

In the past, herbalists used kidney vetch as a remedy for various kidney complaints.

Examples

The bright yellow flowers of kidney vetch attract bees and butterflies to the garden.
We spotted kidney vetch growing along the coastal cliffs during our hike.
The kidney vetch blooms beautifully in the summer.
In the meadow, we found some kidney vetches growing.
In the past, herbalists used kidney vetch as a remedy for various kidney complaints.
The bright yellow flowers of kidney vetch attract bees and butterflies to the garden.
We spotted kidney vetch growing along the coastal cliffs during our hike.

Synonyms

Anthyllis vulneraria

vskidney vetch

Specialized

9.9

A small wild plant that lives for many years and has yellow or red flowers in meadows

has identical meaning but uses the common English name not the Latin name

Surface Forms

kidney vetch singular

kidney vetches plural

Morphology

kidney + vetch

This is a straightforward head–modifier compound: 'vetch' names the plant class and 'kidney' specifies a relation (by shape or traditional use). Because the compound simply names a type of vetch associated with kidneys, a B1 learner who knows both constituent words can reliably infer it denotes a plant (a vetch) linked to kidneys.

Etymology

The plant kidney vetch may get its name from old herbal use. People once used the plant to treat kidney problems, so the small vetch, a pea-like plant, became known as kidney vetch. That's why its name points to that plant today.