I. ˈned. ə l, -et ə l noun
( -s )
Usage: often attributive
Etymology: Middle English nettle, netle, from Old English netle, netel, netele; akin to Middle Dutch netel nettle, Old High German nazza, nezzila, Old Norse nötr, Middle Irish nenaid, Greek adikē nettle, and perhaps to Old English net, nett net — more at net
1. : a plant of the genus Urtica or the family Urticaceae
2. : any of numerous prickly or stinging plants not of the family Urticaceae — usually used with preceding modifier
II. verb
( nettled ; nettled ; nettling -d. ə liŋ, -t( ə )liŋ ; nettles )
Etymology: Middle English netlen, nettyllen, from netle, nettle, n.
transitive verb
1.
a. : to whip or sting with nettles
b. : to cause to be stung by nettles
2. : to arouse displeasure, impatience, or anger in : provoke , vex
ashamed at having been nettled by so minor a cause — Edwin O'Connor
3. : to stir up : incite
intransitive verb
: to become irritated, vexed, or provoked
Synonyms: see irritate
III. noun
or knet·tle “ ; or knit·tle ˈnid. ə l, -it ə l
( -s )
Etymology: alteration of earlier knettel, from Middle English knittel, from Old English cnyttels string, sinew, from cnyttan to knit, bind, tie — more at knit
1. : a small line made of rope yarn and used especially for hammock clews or seizings
2. nettles plural : halves of yarns in the end of a rope twisted up for pointing