ragweed
|rag-weed|
/ˈræɡˌwiːd/
allergy-causing wild plant
Etymology
'ragweed' originates from English, combining 'rag' and 'weed', where 'rag' refers to the ragged appearance of the plant's leaves and 'weed' means an unwanted plant.
'ragweed' was formed in English by combining the words 'rag' and 'weed' to describe the plant's appearance and its status as a weed.
Initially, it referred specifically to the plant with ragged leaves, but now it is widely used for any plant in the genus Ambrosia that causes allergies.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a type of plant from the genus Ambrosia, common in North America, known for producing pollen that causes allergic reactions such as hay fever.
Ragweed pollen is a common cause of seasonal allergies.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/07/30 18:10