nasturtium

• POS: Noun
• HYPHEN: na=stur=tium

CIDE DICTIONARY

nasturtium, n. [L. nasturtium, for nasitortium, fr. nasus nose + torquere, tortum, to twist, torture, in allusion to the causing one to make a wry face by its pungent taste. See Nose of the face, and Torture.].

•  A genus of cruciferous plants, having white or yellowish flowers, including several species of cress. They are found chiefly in wet or damp grounds, and have a pungent biting taste.  [1913 Webster]
•  Any plant of the genus Tropæolum, geraniaceous herbs, having mostly climbing stems, peltate leaves, and spurred flowers, and including the common Indian cress (Tropæolum majus), the canary-bird flower (Tropæolum peregrinum), and about thirty more species, all natives of South America. The whole plant has a warm pungent flavor, and the fleshy fruits are used as a substitute for capers, while the leaves and flowers are sometimes used in salads.  [1913 Webster]

OXFORD DICTIONARY

nasturtium, n.
1 (in general use) a trailing plant, Tropaeolum majus, with rounded edible leaves and bright orange, yellow, or red flowers.
2 any cruciferous plant of the genus Nasturtium, including watercress.

Etymology

L