gall of the earth

: a lion's foot of the genus Prenanthes

especially : a common perennial herb (P. serpentaria) that is widely distributed in the southern and eastern U.S. and has thick variable basal leaves and clusters of pink to white flower heads

: a wild plant of the genus Lactuca

: pinedrops sense 1

Word History

Etymology

earlier gall of the earth lesser centaury (translation of Middle French fiel de terre, translation of Latin fel terrae), from gall entry 1

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“Gall of the earth.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gall%20of%20the%20earth. Accessed 25 Nov. 2024.

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