Definitions

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun any plant of the genus Euphorbia; the spurges

Etymologies

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition

[Middle English euforbia, from Latin euphorbea, after Euphorbus, first-century AD Greek physician.]

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Examples

  • The euphorbia is a great addition to any garden, the color all the time is great, but particularly in fall and early spring.

    Euphorbia Chameleon Or Change Is Our Name « Fairegarden 2008

  • The former ambassador gained a greater success, however, when its original Latin name euphorbia pulcherrima was changed to poinsettia pulcherrima.

    Did You Know? - Nochebuena / Poinsettia 2006

  • The former ambassador gained a greater success, however, when its original Latin name euphorbia pulcherrima was changed to poinsettia pulcherrima.

    Did You Know? - Nochebuena / Poinsettia 2006

  • The latex of certain trees, such as euphorbia, reduces permeability slightly.

    Chapter 6 1994

  • In the patio, between the curate's house and the church, are some very brilliant large scarlet flowers, which they call here "flor del pastor," the shepherd's flower; a beautiful kind of euphorbia, and in other places, "flor de noche buena," the flower of Christmas-eve.

    Life in Mexico, During a Residence of Two Years in That Country Frances Erskine Inglis 1843

  • In the patio, between the curate's house and the church, are some very brilliant large scarlet flowers, which they call here "flor del pastor," the shepherd's flower; a beautiful kind of euphorbia; and in other places,

    Life in Mexico Frances Calder��n de la Barca 1843

  • I feel towards this euphorbia the way I did toward Dame Evelyn Glennie's percussion solo at the concert I attended last night: while I'm amazed at the color, texture, and intense virtuosity, I can't say I love it.

    The Ever-Ripening Year « Sugar Creek Gardens’ Blog 2009

  • But I think 'Sticks on Fire' (the cultivar name of the euphorbia) is an appropriate title for both the plant and the concert.

    The Ever-Ripening Year « Sugar Creek Gardens’ Blog 2009

  • Lovely last shot especially… looks like the same euphorbia that makes itself at home in my garden each spring.

    Wildflowers Of May* « Fairegarden 2010

  • I wonder about the euphorbia also being in your garden.

    Wildflowers Of May* « Fairegarden 2010

Comments

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  • Spurge.

    January 20, 2008

  • Mollusque! Excuse yourself!

    January 20, 2008

  • But then I'd be unexspurgated.

    January 20, 2008

  • Exspurgated, I'd say. ;-)

    January 20, 2008

  • I was exspurgated after I spurged. If I retract my spurge, I'll be unexspurgated, and still have the urge for a spurge splurge.

    January 20, 2008

  • Ah, I see. Then I expunge my "exspurgation" in an effort to expurgate my comment, and express my excitement over your expertise.

    January 21, 2008

  • See usage note on botanize. Signed, Too Lazy to Copy/Paste.

    February 19, 2008