grass

grass
grassless, adj.grasslike, adj.grassward, grasswards, adv. adj.
/gras, grahs/, n.
1. any plant of the family Gramineae, having jointed stems, sheathing leaves, and seedlike grains. Cf. grass family.
2. such plants collectively, as when cultivated in lawns or used as pasture for grazing animals or cut and dried as hay.
3. the grass-covered ground.
4. pasture: Half the farm is grass.
5. Slang. marijuana.
6. grasses, stalks or sprays of grass: filled with dried grasses.
7. the season of the new growth of grass.
8. go to grass, to retire from one's occupation or profession: Many executives lack a sense of purpose after they have gone to grass.
9. let the grass grow under one's feet, to delay action, progress, etc.; become slack in one's efforts.
v.t.
10. to cover with grass or turf.
11. to feed with growing grass; pasture.
12. to lay (something) on the grass, as for the purpose of bleaching.
v.i.
13. to feed on growing grass; graze.
14. to produce grass; become covered with grass.
[bef. 900; ME gras, OE graes; c. D, G, ON, Goth gras; akin to GROW, GREEN]

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I
Any of many low, green, nonwoody plants that make up the families Poaceae (or Gramineae), Cyperaceae (sedges), and Juncaceae (rushes).

Only the approximately 8,000–10,000 species in the family Poaceae are true grasses. They are the most economically important of all flowering plants because of their nutritious grains and soil-forming function, and they are the most widespread and most numerous of plants. The cereal grasses include wheat, corn, rice, rye, oats, barley, and millet. Grasses provide forage for grazing animals, shelter for wildlife, and construction materials, furniture, utensils, and food for humans. Some species are grown as garden ornamentals, cultivated as turf for lawns and recreational areas, or used as cover plants for erosion control. Most have hollow, segmented, round stems, bladelike leaves, and extensively branching fibrous root systems.
II
(as used in expressions)
Grass Günter Wilhelm

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      any of many low, green, nonwoody plants belonging to the grass family (Poaceae or Gramineae), sedge family (Cyperaceae), and rush family (Juncaceae). There are many grasslike members of other flowering plant families, but only the approximately 10,000 species in the family Poaceae are true grasses.

      They are economically the most important of all flowering plants because of their nutritious grains and soil-forming function, and they also have the most widespread distribution and the largest number of individuals. Grasses provide forage for grazing animals, shelter for wildlife, construction materials, furniture, utensils, and food for man. Some species are grown as garden ornamentals, cultivated as turf for lawns and recreational areas, or used as cover plants for erosion control. Most grasses have round stems that are hollow between the joints, bladelike leaves, and extensively branching fibrous root systems. See also Poaceae.

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Universalium. 2010.

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