/ ˈnetl; NAmE / noun , verb
■ noun
(also ˈstinging nettle ) a wild plant with leaves that have pointed edges, are covered in fine hairs and sting if you touch them
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IDIOMS
see grasp verb
■ verb
[ usually passive ] ( informal , especially BrE ) to make sb slightly angry
SYN annoy :
[ vn ]
My remarks clearly nettled her.
[also vn that ]
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WORD ORIGIN
Old English netle , netele , of Germanic origin; related to Dutch netel and German Nessel . The verb dates from late Middle English .