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purslain

Flora
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

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The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

An old spelling of purslane, a low-growing edible plant used as a vegetable or herb. It was a common kitchen-garden plant in earlier English writing.

Detailed Definition
Purslain is an older spelling of purslane, a succulent plant with small leaves that can be eaten raw or cooked. In older poetry, it often appears as a humble garden green, fitting Herrick’s list of simple foods from his little household.
Example
Example in poetry:
“The worts, the purslain, and the mess” names purslain among humble edible greens; “Purslain spread low, its fleshy leaves bright after rain” offers botanical detail; “She gathered purslain for soup beside the garden wall” shows its use as food; “Even purslain, stubborn in cracked soil, made a green answer” uses the plant as a symbol of resilience
Additional Notes
The word 'purslain' in 'The worts, the purslain, and the mess' is an old spelling that many modern readers may not recognize.; Found in the poem, A Thankful Heart by Robert Herrick
Also Known As
purslane edible weed green succulent
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