winter weedn.1
/ˈwɪntə ˌwiːd/, U.S. /ˈwɪn(t)ər ˌwid/ Now rare and archaic.
In plural or as a mass noun. Clothes worn, or suitable to be worn, in winter. Often (esp. in early use) in poetic and figurative contexts.Quot. a1456 shows earlier use of the form winter's weed.
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a1456 (a1449) J. Lydgate Minor Poems (1934) 755 Gret prees of coustume is abowte þe tree..[in autumn]; But whane þe braunches beon bareine and fade, Þat he revested is in wynters weede, Fare weele þe prees.]
1606 M. Drayton Eglog vii, in Poemes sig. F2v Now sheapheards lay theyr winter weeds [1593 blankets all] awaye and in neate Iackkets minsen on the playnes.
1622 N. Breton Strange Newes sig. Dv Russet..makes the soldiers clothes, and Courtiers winter weed.
1710 Encomium inscrib'd to Lord High Chancellor 4 Dame Nature [begins] to assume a youthful Mien, To cast her Winter Weeds, and put on Green.
1822 P. B. Shelley Hellas 51 The world's great age begins anew, The golden years return, The earth doth like a snake renew Her winter weeds outworn.
1881 J. L. Robertson Orellana & Other Poems 150 Wae am I, and sad indeed, Sae fair a glen should grieve And wear the weary winter weed Sae late as summer eve.
1919 Charleston (W. Va.) Daily Mail 7 Apr. 7 (advt.) Back go the hands of the clock—Away go our Winter weeds... One more hour a day to wear our new Spring clothes.
2000 Times 9 Sept. (Mag.) 78/1 [In summer] those who don't wish to impose their bodies on a wider world..sweat like pigs if they continue to wear their all-encompassing winter weeds.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2017; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
winter weedn.2
/ˈwɪntə ˌwiːd/, U.S. /ˈwɪn(t)ər ˌwid/ Any of various small herbaceous plants which flourish in winter and are regarded as weeds; esp. speedwells (genus Veronica) (now rare), and (in the United States) chickweed, Stellaria media.
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the world > plants > particular plants > plants perceived as weeds or harmful plants > weed > [noun] > other weeds
zizanya1400
hog's fennel1525
zizania1526
eyebright1578
henbit1578
red eye-bright1657
common orache1728
sitfast1762
winter weed1787
dubbeltjie1795
red bartsia1805
tread-softly1814
rattlesnake leaf1822
popple1855
horse-nettle1860
Cape weed1878
tree-tobacco1895
king devil1898
khaki weed1907
white top1909
three-corner jack1919
1787 W. Marshall Provincialisms in Rural Econ. Norfolk II. 391 Winter-weed, Veronica hederifolia; ivy-leaved speedwell.
1804 J. E. Smith Flora Britannica III. 1384 Veronica hederifolia. Winter weed, Norfolciensibus.
1842 Gardeners' Chron. 2 Apr. 220/2 Break the stem of the Winter-weed; a small tough thread will be found in the centre, and over it lies an outer sheath.
1893 Amer. Gardening Sept. 523/1 Frequent weedings will be required, as coco has not yet quit growing, and winter weeds are now putting in an appearance.
1923 Amer. Botanist 29 63 The ‘field’ or ‘garden speedwell’ is V[eronica] agrestis. This is also known as ‘germander chickweed’ and ‘winter-weed’.
1954 Weeds 3 193 The control of chickweed and other winter weeds is an acute problem from Maryland to Missouri and southward.
1992 BBC Wildlife Dec. 6/4 The same applies to that other ubiquitous winter weed, the common field speedwell Veronica persica.
2012 B. Church Medicinal Plants, Trees & Shrubs Appalachia 15 (heading) Chickweed—Starwort, Winterweed (Stellaria media)—Annual or biennial.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2017; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
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