alfilaria

noun

al·​fil·​a·​ria
variants or alfileria or less commonly alfilerilla
(ˈ)al-ˌfi-lə-ˈrē-ə
plural -s
: a European weed (Erodium cicutarium) grown for forage in the dry regions of the southwestern U.S.

called also pin grass

Word History

Etymology

modification of American Spanish alfilerillo, from Spanish diminutive of alfiler pin, modification of Arabic al-khilāl the thorn, the pin

First Known Use

1824, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of alfilaria was in 1824

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Cite this Entry

“Alfilaria.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/alfilaria. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

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