■ noun a herbaceous plant having jagged leaves covered with stinging hairs. [ Urtica dioica and other species.]
↘used in names of plants of a similar appearance, e.g. dead-~ .
■ verb
1》 annoy; irritate.
2》 archaic sting with ~s.
Phrases
grasp the ~ Brit. tackle a difficulty boldly.
Origin
OE netle , netele , of Gmc origin.