rupturewort

English

Etymology

From rupture +‎ wort. Possibly related to the taxonomic name Herniaria, which is based on Latin hernia (whence English hernia), a condition where part of the body abnormally extrudes into another part, thus causing a rupture.

Noun

rupturewort (plural ruptureworts)

  1. A plant of the genus Herniaria, especially Herniaria glabra, formerly used in the treatment of hernia and for other medicinal purposes.
  2. A West Indian plant (Alternanthera sessilis, syn. Alternanthera polygonoides), somewhat resembling burstwort.

Translations

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