ragweed

Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

noun widespread European weed having yellow daisylike flowers; sometimes an obnoxious weed and toxic to cattle if consumed in quantity
noun any of numerous chiefly North American weedy plants constituting the genus Ambrosia that produce highly allergenic pollen responsible for much hay fever and asthma

From rag + weed. Compare Middle English ragwed (“butcher's broom”).

If you attempted to lay an uncivil finger on her I'd change you into twelve booliaun buis (stalks of ragweed), but I wish well to you as well as to her. — Fairy and Folk Tales of the Irish Peasantry, Unknown

ragwort, tansy ragwort, benweed, Senecio jacobaea

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