Brittlewort

/ˈbrɪtəlwɜːrt/ noun

Definition

A plant species characterized by brittle or fragile structure, particularly one in the herb or aquatic plant family.

Etymology

From brittle + wort (Old English suffix for plant, as in mugwort, figwort). Traditional naming pattern for herbs.

Kelly Says

The suffix -wort connects modern plant names to Old English traditions—figwort, milkwort, and brittlewort all use this ancient suffix that shows how English has named plants for over a thousand years.

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