First Known Use: 1548
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loosestrife
noun loose·strife \ˈlü(s)-ˌstrīf\
Definition of LOOSESTRIFE
1
: any of a genus (Lysimachia) of plants of the primrose family with leafy stems and usually yellow or white flowers
2
: any of a genus (Lythrum, family Lythraceae, the loosestrife family) of herbs having entire leaves and including some with showy spikes of purple flowers; especially : purple loosestrife
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Origin of LOOSESTRIFE
intended as translation of Greek lysimacheios loosestrife (as if from lysis act of loosing + machesthai to fight) — more at lysis
Rhymes with LOOSESTRIFE
alewife, case knife, clasp knife, drawknife, farmwife, fishwife, flick-knife, folklife, good life, goodwife, half-life, highlife, housewife, jackknife, lowlife, midlife, midwife, nightlife, oldwife, penknife, pro-life, real-life, shelf life, steak knife, still life, true-life, wakerife, whole-life, wildlife
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