Proserpinaca

noun

Pro·​ser·​pi·​na·​ca

prōˌsərpəˈnākə

: a genus of North American aquatic or marsh herbs (family Haloragaceae) having finely divided or pinnatifid leaves, tiny perfect but apetalous axillary flowers, and small bony angled fruit see mermaid weed

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Latin, a plant, probably knotweed, from Proserpina, goddess of the subterranean world of the dead, from Greek Persephonē

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

• More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
• Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
• Advanced search features
• Ad free!