spurge

views updated Jun 08 2018

spurge / spərj/ • n. a herbaceous plant or shrub (genus Euphorbia, family Euphorbiaceae) with milky latex and very small typically greenish flowers. Many kinds are cultivated as ornamentals and some are of commercial importance.

The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English

spurge

views updated Jun 11 2018

spurge plant of the genus Euphorbia, species of which have been used as purgatives. Aphetic — OF. espurge (mod. épurge), f. espurgier purge :- L. expurgāre; see EX-1, PURGE
.

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology T. F. HOAD

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