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Definition of arctium
arctium
/ˈɑːrk.ti.əm/
arc · ti · um
arctium Lexical Profile
CEFR
C2
Grade
11
Tier
3
Usage
Rare
• noun
1
A genus of biennial plants in the aster family (Asteraceae), commonly known as burdock, native to Eurasia and characterized by dark green, rhubarb-like leaves and prickly flower heads (burrs) that easily catch on clothing or animal fur.
Example
"The Swiss engineer George de Mestral invented Velcro after examining how the seed heads of an Arctium plant firmly attached themselves to his dog's coat."
Synonyms
View all synonyms for arctium• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
From Latin 'arctium', derived from Ancient Greek 'árktion' (burdock), which traces to 'árktos' meaning 'bear', in reference to the plant's rough, shaggy burrs.
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Arctium. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 12, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/arctium