pepperwort
(ˈpɛpəwɜːt)
[See wort]
1. A species of cress (Lepidium latifolium), formerly also called Dittander or Dittany; also applied to the genus Lepidium in general.
| 1562 Turner Herbal ii. 34 b, Lepidium is called in Englishe Dittani, but foulishly and vnlearnedly; in Duche Pfefferkraut that is peperwurt. 1578 Lyte Dodoens v. lxvi. 631 Dittany whiche we may more rightly cal Pepperwurt, hath long brode leaues. 1607 Topsell Four-f. Beasts (1658) 420 The herb called Nard or Pepper-wort..will presently help any Beast which is bitten by the Shrew. 1676 T. Glover in Phil. Trans. XI. 629. 1857 Mayne Expos. Lex., Pepperwort, a common name for the Lepidium iberis. 1866 Treas. Bot., Pepperwort, Lepidium. |
b. Applied in N. America to Dentaria diphylla, also called pepper-root.
| 1861 Miss Pratt Flower. Pl. I. 112 The root of..the Two⁓leaved Coral-root, is used by the Americans instead of mustard, and is called Pepper-wort. 1866 Treas. Bot. 393 The roots of D[entaria] diphylla..are used..from Pennsylvania to Canada,..under the name of Pepperwort. |
2. pl. A name for the family Marsileaceæ, consisting of small aquatic plants allied to the ferns.
| 1846 Lindley Veg. Kingd. 71 Marsileaceæ.—Pepperworts. Ibid. 72 The main feature by which Pepperworts are known as an Order from Lycopodiaceæ. 1851 T. Moore (title) A Popular History of the British Ferns..comprising the Club-Mosses, Pepperworts, and Horsetails. |
b. Lindley's name for family Piperaceæ.
| 1846 Lindley Veg. Kingd. 515 Order cxcvi. Piperaceæ.—Pepperworts. Ibid. 516 Pepperworts are related to Buck⁓wheats, Saururads, and Nettles. |