sorrel
sorrel Lexical Profile
sorrel Game Scores & Validity
• noun
Any of several perennial herbaceous plants of the genus Rumex (especially Rumex acetosa) in the buckwheat family Polygonaceae, native to Eurasia and cultivated in temperate regions for their arrow-shaped leaves.
"Wild sorrel grows abundantly in the damp meadows near the stream."
The tart, lemon-flavored edible green leaves of the sorrel plant, rich in oxalic acid and eaten raw in salads or cooked as a potherb in soups and sauces.
"The chef stirred finely shredded sorrel into the cream sauce to give the salmon dish a bright, lemony tang."
A light reddish-brown or yellowish-brown color, similar to copper or chestnut.
"Autumn painted the oak leaves in rich shades of gold and sorrel."
A horse of the species Equus caballus having a coppery or light reddish-brown coat and a mane and tail of the same or a lighter flaxen shade.
"The young sorrel won first prize in the stock horse competition."
The fleshy crimson calyces of the roselle plant (Hibiscus sabdariffa), or a spiced festive beverage brewed from them, widely consumed in the Caribbean.
"Every December, our family brews a large batch of chilled sorrel infused with fresh ginger, cloves, and cinnamon."
• adjective
Of a light reddish-brown or coppery chestnut color, especially describing the coat, mane, and tail of a horse.
"The rancher rode a tall sorrel mare across the open pasture."
Word Nuance & Usage
'Sorrel' combines two historically distinct homographs: the sour leafy plant (derived from Germanic roots meaning 'sour') and the reddish-brown color or horse coat (derived from Old French roots related to dried or sear leaves).
• Rhymes for sorrel
Word Origin & Etymology
The botanical sense derives from Old French 'surele', from Frankish '*sur' ('sour'), referring to the tangy acidity of the leaves. The color and equine sense comes independently from Old French 'sorel', a diminutive of 'sor' ('yellowish-brown' or 'reddish-brown').
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.