lady's thumb

noun

: a widely distributed weedy annual herb (Polygonum persicaria) of the buckwheat family that has large lanceolate leaves often with a blackish blotch suggesting a thumbprint

Word History

First Known Use

1820, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of lady's thumb was in 1820

Dictionary Entries Near lady's thumb

Cite this Entry

“Lady's thumb.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lady%27s%20thumb. Accessed 25 Dec. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!