ˈdea-nettle Obs. exc. dial.
Forms: 6– dee-, 8– day-, 9 dea-, deea-, deye-, dae-.
[Generally held to be a reduction of dead-nettle (in Trevisa deed-nettyll); but the phonology is not clear.]
A name given to the species of Lamium (dead-nettle) and other Labiates having nettle-like leaves; but in Scotland and the North of England more especially to the Hemp-nettle, Galeopsis Tetrahit, the acute calyx-segments of which, when dry and rigid, often wound the hands of reapers.
| 1523 Fitzherb. Husb. §20 There be other wedes not spoken of, as dee-nettylles, dodder, and suche other, that doo moche harme. 1788 Marshall Rur. Econ. E. Yorksh. Gloss., Dea-nettle, galeopsis tetrahit, wild hemp. 1853 G. Johnston Nat. Hist. E. Bord. 162 Labourers in harvest are sometimes affected with whitlow, and they ascribe the disease invariably to the sting of the Deye-nettle. 1878 Cumbrld. Gloss., Deāa, Dēea, Dee nettle, the dead nettle—Lamium album. |