How Do You Spell SPURGE?

Pronunciation: [spˈɜːd͡ʒ] (IPA)

The word "spurge" is spelled as /spɜːdʒ/ in IPA phonetic transcription. The first sound is the voiceless postalveolar fricative /s/, which is followed by the unstressed vowel sound /ɜː/. The final sound is the voiced postalveolar affricate /dʒ/. The word refers to any of various herbs or shrubs of the spurge family, often with milky sap, and sometimes used for medicinal purposes. Proper pronunciation and spelling of the word "spurge" can help avoid confusion or misunderstanding.

SPURGE Meaning and Definition

  1. Spurge refers to any plant belonging to the Euphorbiaceae family, characterized by their succulent, herbaceous, or shrubby nature. The term "spurge" is commonly used to describe the genus Euphorbia, which encompasses a vast number of species. These plants can be found in various habitats around the world, including tropical and subtropical regions. They are often known for their unique appearance, featuring distinctive, asymmetrical leaves and flower clusters.

    Members of the spurge family are typically known for their milky sap, which is often toxic or irritating to the skin and mucous membranes. This sap is released from the broken stems or leaves of the plant and serves as a defense mechanism against herbivores and pathogens. However, certain species, such as the poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima), are exceptions, as their milky sap is relatively non-toxic.

    Despite the toxic nature of the sap, several spurge species have found medicinal applications. Historically, these plants have been used for their purgative, emetic, or diuretic properties in traditional medicines. The sap has also been used topically to treat skin conditions like warts, calluses, and fungal infections. However, caution is advised when handling spurge plants due to the potential for skin irritation or allergic reactions.

    In summary, spurge is a general term used to describe plants from the Euphorbiaceae family, particularly Euphorbia. They are known for their succulent nature, distinct appearance, and milky sap with potential medicinal properties.

  2. Euphorbia.

    A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.

  3. A plant, the juice of which is very hot and corroding; a name applied to various plants.

    Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Common Misspellings for SPURGE

Etymology of SPURGE

The word "spurge" originated from the Old French word "espurge" in the 13th century, which came from the Latin word "expurgare", meaning "to clean out" or "to cleanse". This Latin term was a combination of the prefix "ex-" meaning "out" and "purgare" meaning "to purge" or "cleanse". The usage of "spurge" specifically for the plant was due to its medicinal properties, which were believed to help cleanse or purge the body.

Similar spelling words for SPURGE

Plural form of SPURGE is SPURGES

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