Spearwort
/ˈspɪə.wɜːt/noun
Any of several buttercup-like plants, especially in the genus Ranunculus, some of which have narrow, spear-shaped leaves.
Did you know?The second half, -wort, is an Old English herbal word meaning “plant” or “herb,” the same ancient plant-name element you see in other old remedies and magical-sounding folk names.
Etymological Timeline
Old English
OE
sperewyrt
“a spear-shaped or spear-like herb”
Middle English
ME
sperewort
“a plant with spear-like leaves”
Modern English
English
spearwort
“a buttercup-like wildflower with narrow, lance-shaped leaves”
Old English
OE
spere
“spear”
Old English
OE
wyrt
“plant, herb, root”
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