shepherd's-purse: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowSpecialist, Botanical, Literary
Quick answer
What does “shepherd's-purse” mean?
A common annual weed (Capsella bursa-pastoris) of the cabbage family, with small white flowers and distinctive triangular or heart-shaped seed pods.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A common annual weed (Capsella bursa-pastoris) of the cabbage family, with small white flowers and distinctive triangular or heart-shaped seed pods.
Used historically in herbal medicine for its purported astringent and diuretic properties.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in usage; the term is botanical and consistent. Spelling of the possessive apostrophe is standard in both.
Connotations
Primarily denotes a wild plant/weed. May evoke rural or pastoral imagery in literary contexts due to the 'shepherd' element.
Frequency
Equally low frequency in both varieties, primarily encountered in gardening, botany, or historical texts.
Grammar
How to Use “shepherd's-purse” in a Sentence
The [garden/path] was infested with ~.He identified the weed as ~.~, a common annual, thrives in disturbed soil.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “shepherd's-purse” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The shepherd's-purse infestation was widespread.
American English
- A shepherd's-purse plant can produce thousands of seeds.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in botanical texts, agricultural studies, and historical papers on herbalism.
Everyday
Rarely used outside of gardening contexts.
Technical
Standard term in botany and horticulture for the specific species.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “shepherd's-purse”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “shepherd's-purse”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “shepherd's-purse”
- Misspelling as 'shephard's purse' or 'sheperd's purse'.
- Using it as a verb or adjective (e.g., 'to shepherd's-purse the garden' is incorrect).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, the leaves are edible when young and can be used in salads or as a cooked green, though they have a peppery, bitter taste.
The name comes from the shape of its seed pods, which resemble the small leather pouches (purses) that shepherds historically carried.
It can be, as it grows quickly in disturbed soil, gardens, and agricultural fields, competing with crops. However, it is not typically among the most aggressive invasive species.
Historically, it was used in folk medicine as a diuretic and to staunch bleeding. However, modern medical use is not common, and one should consult a doctor before using any plant medicinally.
A common annual weed (Capsella bursa-pastoris) of the cabbage family, with small white flowers and distinctive triangular or heart-shaped seed pods.
Shepherd's-purse is usually specialist, botanical, literary in register.
Shepherd's-purse: in British English it is pronounced /ˌʃɛpədz ˈpɜːs/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌʃɛpərdz ˈpɜːrs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “(none)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a tiny shepherd tending a flock of seeds, each tucked into its own little green PURSE on the plant.
Conceptual Metaphor
NATURE IS A STOREHOUSE / A PLANT IS A CONTAINER (the seed pod is metaphorically a purse or pouch).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary field where the term 'shepherd's-purse' is used technically?