Definition of "nettle" in English

noun

1. Any plant whose foliage is covered with stinging, mildly poisonous hairs, causing an instant rash.

2. Certain plants that have spines or prickles:

3. Certain non-stinging plants, mostly in the family Lamiaceae, that resemble the species of Urtica:

4. Loosely, anything which causes a similarly stinging rash, such as a jellyfish or sea nettle.

verb

1. (transitive) Of the nettle plant and similar physical causes, to sting, causing a rash in someone.

   • The children were badly nettled after playing in the field.

2. (transitive, figurative) To pique, irritate, vex or provoke.