devil's claw

noun

: any of several herbs (genus Proboscidea synonym Martynia of the family Martyniaceae) of the southwestern U.S. and Mexico that have edible pods yielding a black sewing material used in basket making

Examples of devil's claw in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Johnson also used both traditional materials like willow, devil's claw and nontraditional materials like wire in his work. —

Debra Utacia Krol, The Arizona Republic, 15 May 2024 Greenbush Natural Devil's Claw Vegetarian Capsules Greenbush Natural Devil's Claw Vegetarian Capsules harness the power of devil's claw, a plant native to southern Africa. —

Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 29 June 2023 So, devil's claw may interact or interfere with your heart medications. —

Verywell Health, 21 Feb. 2023 But several studies assess devil's claw for the following potential uses. —

Verywell Health, 21 Feb. 2023 As for safety, feverfew seems similar to devil's claw. —

Verywell Health, 21 Feb. 2023 White willow bark is thought to soothe the joint pain associated with osteoarthritis, while devil's claw is used to reduce pain caused by rheumatoid arthritis. —

Verywell Health, 14 Feb. 2023 My first encounter with devil's claw (Proboscidea louisianica) was with the late Jim Story, a retired Navy vet who lived and gardened in Pendleton, Indi. —

Jo Ellen Meyers Sharp, Indianapolis Star, 27 Apr. 2018

Word History

First Known Use

1876, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of devil's claw was in 1876

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Devil's claw.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/devil%27s%20claw. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.

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