Definition: sorrel

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Source: WordNet (r) 1.7

sorrel
     adj : of a light brownish color [syn: brownish-orange]
     n 1: any plant or flower of the genus Oxalis [syn: oxalis, wood
          sorrel]
     2: any of certain coarse weedy plants with long taproots,
        sometimes used as table greens or in folk medicine [syn: dock,
         sour grass]
     3: East Indian sparsely prickly annual herb or perennial
        subshrub widely cultivated for its fleshy calyxes used in
        tarts and jelly and for its bast fiber [syn: roselle, rozelle,
         red sorrel, Jamaica sorrel, Hibiscus sabdariffa]
     4: large sour-tasting arrowhead-shaped leaves used in salads
        and sauces [syn: common sorrel]
     5: a horse of a brownish orange to light brown color

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Sorrel \Sor"rel\, a. [F. saur, saure, OF. sor, sore, probably of
   Teutonic origin; cf. D. zoor dry, LG. soor; the meaning
   probably coming from the color of dry leaves. See Sear, a.,
   and cf. Sorel.]
   Of a yellowish or redish brown color; as, a sorrel horse.
Sorrel \Sor"rel\, n.
   A yellowish or redish brown color.
Sorrel \Sor"rel\, n. [F. surelle, fr. sur sour, fr. OHG. s?r
   sour. See Sour.] (Bot.)
   One of various plants having a sour juice; especially, a
   plant of the genus Rumex, as Rumex Acetosa, Rumex
   Acetosella, etc.

   Mountain sorrel. (Bot.) See under Mountain.

   Red sorrel. (Bot.)
   (a) A malvaceous plant (Hibiscus Sabdariffa) whose acid
       calyxes and capsules are used in the West Indies for
       making tarts and acid drinks.
   (b) A troublesome weed (Rumex Acetosella), also called
       sheep sorrel.

   Salt of sorrel (Chem.), binoxalate of potassa; -- so called
      because obtained from the juice of Rumex Acetosella, or
      Rumex Axetosa.

   Sorrel tree (Bot.), a small ericaceous tree (Oxydendrum
      arboreum) whose leaves resemble those of the peach and
      have a sour taste. It is common along the Alleghanies.
      Called also sourwood.

   Wood sorrel (Bot.), any plant of the genus Oxalis.