dodder
Any of about 100–170 species of yellow, orange or red (rarely green) parasitic plants of the genus Cuscuta. Formerly treated as the only genus in the family Cuscutaceae, it is now placed in the morning glory family, Convolvulaceae.
Noun
- Any of about 100–170 species of yellow, orange or red (rarely green) parasitic plants of the genus Cuscuta. Formerly treated as the only genus in the family Cuscutaceae, it is now placed in the morning glory family, Convolvulaceae.
Origin
From Middle English doder (“flax dodder”), from Middle Dutch doder, from Old Dutch *doder, ultimately from Proto-West Germanic *dodr (viz. theories of origin). Cognate with Middle Low German doder, West Flemish dodder.
Forms
Synonyms
angel hair devil's guts devil's hair devil's ringlet goldthread hailweed hairweed hellbine love vine pull-down strangleweed witch's hair
Derived
buttonbush dodder Chilean dodder clover dodder common dodder compact dodder cusp dodder European dodder field dodder flax dodder golden dodder greater dodder hazel dodder large-seeded alfalfa dodder )Cuscuta campestris Cuscuta approximata) laurel dodder lesser dodder linseed dodder little-seed alfalfa dodder rope dodder small-seeded alfalfa dodder smartweed dodder swamp dodder thyme dodder
Verb
- To shake or tremble as one moves, especially as of old age or childhood; to totter.
- Yossarian responded to the thought by slipping away stealthily from the police and almost tripped over the feet of a burly woman of forty hastening across the intersection guiltily, darting furtive, vindictive glances...
- Their neighbours have been, on one side, an old man who dodders around in his dressing gown talking to himself, and on the other a stand-offish couple who pretend not to understand the Spanish he speaks. - 2013, J. M....
Origin
From Middle English daderen (“to quake, tremble”). Compare Norwegian dudra (“to tremble”).