urticate

verb

ur·​ti·​cate ˈər-tə-ˌkāt How to pronounce urticate (audio)
urticated; urticating

intransitive verb

: to produce wheals or itching
especially : to induce hives
urtication noun

Examples of urticate in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Urticating hairs, bristly and very sharp, cover a tarantula’s abdomen and legs and make the spider very unappetizing for any potential predator. Michael Bogan, National Geographic, 30 Aug. 2016

Word History

Etymology

Medieval Latin urticatus, past participle of urticare to sting, from Latin urtica

First Known Use

1843, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of urticate was in 1843

Dictionary Entries Near urticate

Cite this Entry

“Urticate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/urticate. Accessed 19 Nov. 2024.

Medical Definition

urticate

intransitive verb
ur·​ti·​cate ˈərt-ə-ˌkāt How to pronounce urticate (audio)
urticated; urticating
: to produce wheals or itching
especially : to induce hives
urtication noun
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