Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Vetch
Vetch
(vĕch)
, Noun.
[Also
fitch
; OE. ficche
, feche
, for veche
, OF. veche
, vecce
, vesche
, vesce
, F. vesce
, fr. L. vicia
.] (Bot.)
Any leguminous plant of the genus
Vicia
, some species of which are valuable for fodder. The common species is Vicia sativa
. ☞ The name is also applied to many other leguminous plants of different genera; as the chichling vetch, of the genus
Lathyrus
; the horse vetch, of the genus Hippocrepis
; the kidney vetch (Anthyllis vulneraria
); the milk vetch, of the genus Astragalus
; the licorice vetch, or wild licorice (Abrus precatorius
). Webster 1828 Edition
Vetch
VETCH
,Noun.
A plant of the leguminous kind, with papilionaceous flowers, of the genus Vicia. It is a common name of most species of the genus. The name is also applied, with various epithets, to many other leguminous plants of different genera; as the chichling vetch, of the genus Lathyrus; the horseshoe vetch, of the genus Hippocrepis; the milk vetch, of the genus Astragalus, &c.
Definition 2024
vetch
vetch
English
A vetch (Vicia cracca)
Alternative forms
Noun
vetch (plural vetches)
- Any of several leguminous plants, of the genus Vicia, often grown as green manure and for their edible seeds.
- Any of several similar plants within the subfamily Faboideae.
Synonyms
- tare (rare)
Hyponyms
- (Vicia): garden vetch, common vetch (Vicia sativa); bitter vetch, blister vetch (Vicia ervilia); tufted vetch (Vicia cracca); hairy vetch (Vicia villosa); fodder vetch), bard vetch (Vicia articulata); French vetch (Vicia serratifolia); Hungarian vetch (Vicia pannonica)
Derived terms
- deervetch (Acmispon glaber)
- kidney vetch (Anthyllis vulneraria)
- milk-vetch (Astragalus)
- vetchling (Lathyrus)
- vetchy
Translations
any of several leguminous plants
