Tares

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. Weeds that are generally considered undesirable and can interfere with the growth of cultivated crops are classified as such plants
2. Certain unwanted plant species that grow alongside crops, negatively affecting their development are referred to in this manner
3. Undesirable plants that grow in fields, competing with crops for nutrients and water, are termed in this way

Etymology: Tares is the plural of "tare," a word English has used since the Middle Ages for a climbing plant of the vetch family. It descends from Old English "taru," and it grew among cereal crops, which is why farmers came to treat it as a nuisance. Its reputation as a weed owes much to the Bible. In the parable in Matthew 13, an enemy sows tares among the wheat, and the servants are told to let both grow together until the harvest. The King James Version rendered the plant as "tares," which is why the word still suggests a harmful weed rather than a neutral plant.

Synonyms: weeds, wild grasses

Antonyms: crops, harvest