Nettle

(nĕt'tl), n. [A-S. netele, D. netel, Dan. nelde, nälde, O. H. Ger. nezilā, nezzilā, diminutive of nazza, M. H. Ger. nezele, nezzеле, nezzel, N. H. Ger. ness el, Sw. nässla, Icel. nötr.] (Bot.) A plant of the genus Urtica, covered with minute sharp hairs containing a poison that produces a very painful sensation. U. gracilis is common in the Northern United States, and U. purpurascens in the Southern. The common European species, U. urens and U. dioica, are also found in the Eastern States.