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Definition of wood sorrel

wood sorrel

Plural:wood sorrels
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wood sorrel Lexical Profile

• noun

1

Any of various widely distributed plants of the genus Oxalis, typically found in damp wooded areas, featuring clover-like trifoliate leaves and a distinctively sour taste caused by oxalic acid.

Example

"While hiking through the damp forest, the botanist pointed out the wood sorrel growing at the base of an old oak tree."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for wood sorrel

Word Nuance & Usage

Often confused with true clover due to its similar trifoliate leaves, but can be distinguished by its heart-shaped leaflets and small, brightly colored flowers.

• Nearby Words

wood anemone
wood duck
wood snake
wood sorrel
wood turtle
woodbridge
woodburn

Word Origin & Etymology

Derived from 'wood' (referring to its typical forest habitat) and 'sorrel' (from Old French 'surele', meaning 'sour', due to the presence of oxalic acid giving the leaves a tart flavor).

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Wood sorrel. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 12, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/wood sorrel
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