Spike rush

Spike rush
Rush Rush, n. [OE. rusche, rische, resche, AS. risce, akin to LG. rusk, risch, D. & G. rusch; all probably fr. L. ruscum butcher's broom; akin to Goth. raus reed, G. rohr.] 1. (Bot.) A name given to many aquatic or marsh-growing endogenous plants with soft, slender stems, as the species of {Juncus} and {Scirpus}. [1913 Webster]

Note: Some species are used in bottoming chairs and plaiting mats, and the pith is used in some places for wicks to lamps and rushlights. [1913 Webster]

2. The merest trifle; a straw. [1913 Webster]

John Bull's friendship is not worth a rush. --Arbuthnot. [1913 Webster]

{Bog rush}. See under {Bog}.

{Club rush}, any rush of the genus {Scirpus}.

{Flowering rush}. See under {Flowering}.

{Nut rush} (a) Any plant of the genus {Scleria}, rushlike plants with hard nutlike fruits. (b) A name for several species of {Cyperus} having tuberous roots.

{Rush broom}, an Australian leguminous plant ({Viminaria denudata}), having long, slender branches. Also, the Spanish broom. See under {Spanish}.

{Rush candle}, See under {Candle}.

{Rush grass}, any grass of the genus {Vilfa}, grasses with wiry stems and one-flowered spikelets.

{Rush toad} (Zo["o]l.), the natterjack.

{Scouring rush}. (Bot.) Same as {Dutch rush}, under {Dutch.}

{Spike rush}, any rushlike plant of the genus {Eleocharis}, in which the flowers grow in dense spikes.

{Sweet rush}, a sweet-scented grass of Arabia, etc. ({Andropogon sch[oe]nanthus}), used in Oriental medical practice.

{Wood rush}, any plant of the genus {Luzula}, which differs in some technical characters from {Juncus}. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • Spike rush — Spike Spike, n. [Akin to LG. spiker, spieker, a large nail, D. spijker, Sw. spik, Dan. spiger, Icel. sp[=i]k; all perhaps from L. spica a point, an ear of grain; but in the sense of nail more likely akin to E. spoke of a wheel. Cf. {Spine}.] 1. A …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • spike-rush — spikeˈ rush noun Any of several sedges of the genus Eleocharis, closely related to the true sedges, with stiff tufted stems and solitary spikelets • • • Main Entry: ↑spike …   Useful english dictionary

  • spike rush — noun a sedge of the genus Eleocharis • Hypernyms: ↑sedge • Hyponyms: ↑water chestnut, ↑Chinese water chestnut, ↑Eleocharis dulcis, ↑needle spike rush, ↑needle rush, ↑ …   Useful english dictionary

  • spike rush — /ˈspaɪk rʌʃ/ (say spuyk rush) noun any plant of the genus Eleocharis, family Cyperaceae, as the tall spike rush, E. sphacelata …  

  • needle spike rush — noun fine leaved aquatic spike rush; popular as aerator for aquariums • Syn: ↑needle rush, ↑slender spike rush, ↑hair grass, ↑Eleocharis acicularis • Hypernyms: ↑spike rush * * * noun : a common perenn …   Useful english dictionary

  • slender spike rush — noun fine leaved aquatic spike rush; popular as aerator for aquariums • Syn: ↑needle spike rush, ↑needle rush, ↑hair grass, ↑Eleocharis acicularis • Hypernyms: ↑spike rush …   Useful english dictionary

  • creeping spike rush — noun cylindrical stemmed sedge • Syn: ↑Eleocharis palustris • Hypernyms: ↑spike rush * * * noun : a cylindrical stemmed sedge (Eleocharis palustris) …   Useful english dictionary

  • square-stem spike rush — ˈ ̷ ̷ˌ ̷ ̷ noun : a spike rush (Eleocharis quadrangulata) with square angled stems …   Useful english dictionary

  • Spike — Spike, n. [Akin to LG. spiker, spieker, a large nail, D. spijker, Sw. spik, Dan. spiger, Icel. sp[=i]k; all perhaps from L. spica a point, an ear of grain; but in the sense of nail more likely akin to E. spoke of a wheel. Cf. {Spine}.] 1. A sort… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Spike grass — Spike Spike, n. [Akin to LG. spiker, spieker, a large nail, D. spijker, Sw. spik, Dan. spiger, Icel. sp[=i]k; all perhaps from L. spica a point, an ear of grain; but in the sense of nail more likely akin to E. spoke of a wheel. Cf. {Spine}.] 1. A …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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