euphorbia

noun

eu·​phor·​bia yü-ˈfȯr-bē-ə How to pronounce euphorbia (audio)
: any of a large genus (Euphorbia) of herbs, shrubs, and trees of the spurge family that have a milky juice and flowers lacking a calyx and included in an involucre which surrounds a group of several staminate flowers and a central pistillate flower with 3-lobed pistils
broadly : spurge

Examples of euphorbia 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.
All other euphorbias, including the popular crown of thorns, will display the same shape of flowers. — Neil Sperry, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Mar. 2025 Plus, with whorls of rubbery leaves, certain euphorbias create a fun, funky shape. — Karen Hugg, Washington Post, 19 Sep. 2023

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, alteration of Latin euphorbea, from Euphorbus, 1st century a.d. Greek physician

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of euphorbia was in the 14th century

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Cite this Entry

“Euphorbia.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/euphorbia. Accessed 26 Mar. 2025.

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Medical Definition

euphorbia

noun
eu·​phor·​bia yu̇-ˈfȯr-bē-ə How to pronounce euphorbia (audio)
1
: a large genus of plants of the spurge family that have a milky juice and flowers included in an involucre which surrounds a group of several staminate flowers and a central pistillate flower and that include a number which have been used medicinally
2
: any plant of the genus Euphorbia
also : any of various other plants that belong to the spurge family
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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