WORT

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does wort mean? 

• WORT (noun)
  The noun WORT has 2 senses:

1. usually used in combination: 'liverwort'; 'milkwort'; 'whorlywort'

2. unfermented or fermenting malt

  Familiarity information: WORT used as a noun is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• WORT (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Usually used in combination: 'liverwort'; 'milkwort'; 'whorlywort'

Classified under:

Nouns denoting plants

Hypernyms ("wort" is a kind of...):

herb; herbaceous plant (a plant lacking a permanent woody stem; many are flowering garden plants or potherbs; some having medicinal properties; some are pests)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Unfermented or fermenting malt

Classified under:

Nouns denoting foods and drinks

Hypernyms ("wort" is a kind of...):

malt (a cereal grain (usually barley) that is kiln-dried after having been germinated by soaking in water; used especially in brewing and distilling)

 Context examples 

An anthraquinone derivative that is naturally found in the yellow flower of Hypericum perforatum (St. John's wort) with antidepressant, potential antiviral, antineoplastic and immunostimulating activities.

(Hypericin, NCI Thesaurus)

The 'effalunt' sat up, looking as much in earnest as any of them, and said soberly to me, "I gif you my wort it is so, if we make too large a noise you shall say Hush! to us, and we go more softly."

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

Also called St. John's wort.

(Hypericum perforatum, NCI Dictionary)