starwort
|star-wort|
🇺🇸
/ˈstɑr.wɝt/
🇬🇧
/ˈstɑː.wɜːt/
star-shaped plant
Etymology
'starwort' is a compound of English 'star' + 'wort' (Old English 'wyrt' meaning 'plant, herb').
'starwort' comes from Old English elements 'steorra' (star) and 'wyrt' (plant/herb); the components combined over time into the Middle English compound and then the modern form 'starwort'.
Originally formed as a descriptive compound meaning 'a plant with star-like (flowers or shape)'; this descriptive sense has remained largely intact, though the specific plants referred to have varied by region.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
any of several small flowering plants that have star-shaped flowers; a common name applied to various species (e.g. some species of Stellaria and related genera).
In spring the hedgerow was dotted with tiny white starworts.
Noun 2
any of several aquatic plants commonly called water-starwort (plants of the genus Callitriche and similar aquatic genera).
The pond was thick with water-starwort, making netting difficult.
Last updated: 2025/08/15 13:28