Mosswort
/ˈmɒs.wɜːrt/noun
A moss or mosslike plant, especially a plant traditionally classified among mosses or related spore-bearing plants.
Did you know?The element “wort” comes from an ancient word meaning “plant” or “root,” and survives in names such as St. John’s wort and mugwort.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*wréh₂ds
“Root; the underground part of a plant”
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*wurtiz
“Root or plant”
Old English
Old English
wyrt
“Plant, herb, root, or vegetable”
Middle English
Middle English
wort
“A plant or herb, especially one valued for food or medicine”
Old English to Middle English
English
mos / mosse
“Moss; a low-growing, soft plant”
Modern English
English
mosswort
“A moss or mosslike plant”