whitlow grass

whitlow grass
    n 1: annual weed of Europe and North America having a rosette of
         basal leaves and tiny flowers followed by oblong seed
         capsules [syn: {whitlow grass}, {shadflower}, {shad-
         flower}, {Draba verna}]
    

Whitlow \Whit"low\, n. [Prov. E. whickflaw, for quickflaw, i.
   e., a flaw or sore at the quick; cf. Icel. kvika the quick
   under the nail or under a horse's hoof. See {Quick}, a., and
   {Flaw}.]
   [1913 Webster]
   1. (Med.) An inflammation of the fingers or toes, generally
      of the last phalanx, terminating usually in suppuration.
      The inflammation may occupy any seat between the skin and
      the bone, but is usually applied to a felon or
      inflammation of the periosteal structures of the bone.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. (Far.) An inflammatory disease of the feet. It occurs
      round the hoof, where an acrid matter is collected.
      [1913 Webster]

   {Whitlow grass} (Bot.), name given to several inconspicuous
      herbs, which were thought to be a cure for the whitlow, as
      {Saxifraga tridactylites}, {Draba verna}, and several
      species of {Paronychia}.
      [1913 Webster]