Bitter cress

Bitter cress
Cress Cress (kr[e^]s), n.; pl. {Cresses} (kr[e^]s"[e^]z). [OE. ces, cresse, kers, kerse, AS. cresse, cerse; akin to D. kers, G. kresse, Dan. karse, Sw. krasse, and possibly also to OHG. chresan to creep.] (Bot.) A plant of various species, chiefly cruciferous. The leaves have a moderately pungent taste, and are used as a salad and antiscorbutic. [1913 Webster]

Note: The garden cress, called also {peppergrass}, is the {Lepidium sativum}; the water cress is the {Nasturtium officinale}. Various other plants are sometimes called cresses. [1913 Webster]

To strip the brook with mantling cresses spread. --Goldsmith. [1913 Webster]

{Bitter cress}. See under {Bitter}.

{Not worth a cress}, or {``not worth a kers.''} a common old proverb, now turned into the meaningless ``not worth a curse.'' --Skeat. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • Bitter cress — Bitter Bit ter, a. [AS. biter; akin to Goth. baitrs, Icel. bitr, Dan., Sw., D., & G. bitter, OS. bittar, fr. root of E. bite. See {Bite}, v. t.] 1. Having a peculiar, acrid, biting taste, like that of wormwood or an infusion of hops; as, a bitter …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • bitter cress — noun any of various herbs of the genus Cardamine, having usually pinnate leaves and racemes of white, pink or purple flowers; cosmopolitan except Antarctic • Syn: ↑bittercress • Hypernyms: ↑cress, ↑cress plant • Hyponyms: ↑lady s smock, ↑ …   Useful english dictionary

  • bitter-cress — bittˈer cress noun Cardamine • • • Main Entry: ↑bitter …   Useful english dictionary

  • bitter cress — bit′ter cress′ n. pln any plant of the genus Cardamine, of the mustard family, having clusters of white, pink, or purple flowers • Etymology: 1885–90 …   From formal English to slang

  • bitter cress — noun Date: circa 1890 any of a genus (Cardamine) of herbs of the mustard family that produce flat pods and wingless seeds …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • bitter cress — any plant belonging to the genus Cardamine, of the mustard family, having usually pinnate leaves and clusters of white, pink, or purple flowers. [1885 90] * * * …   Universalium

  • Cress — (kr[e^]s), n.; pl. {Cresses} (kr[e^]s [e^]z). [OE. ces, cresse, kers, kerse, AS. cresse, cerse; akin to D. kers, G. kresse, Dan. karse, Sw. krasse, and possibly also to OHG. chresan to creep.] (Bot.) A plant of various species, chiefly… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Cress — may refer to: Contents 1 Plants 2 People 2.1 Surname 2.2 …   Wikipedia

  • Bitter — Bit ter, a. [AS. biter; akin to Goth. baitrs, Icel. bitr, Dan., Sw., D., & G. bitter, OS. bittar, fr. root of E. bite. See {Bite}, v. t.] 1. Having a peculiar, acrid, biting taste, like that of wormwood or an infusion of hops; as, a bitter… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Bitter apple — Bitter Bit ter, a. [AS. biter; akin to Goth. baitrs, Icel. bitr, Dan., Sw., D., & G. bitter, OS. bittar, fr. root of E. bite. See {Bite}, v. t.] 1. Having a peculiar, acrid, biting taste, like that of wormwood or an infusion of hops; as, a bitter …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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