knawel

noun

knaw·​el

ˈnȯ(ə)l

plural -s

: a low spreading Old World annual weed (Scleranthus annuus) with inconspicuous greenish flowers that is now widely distributed in North America

also : any of several other weedy plants of this genus

Word History

Etymology

modification of German knäuel, knauel, literally, ball of yarn, from Middle High German kniuwel, alteration of kliuwel, diminutive of kliuwe ball of yarn, from Old High German kliuwa

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