Sedge
Pronunciation : Sedge
Part of Speech : n.
Etymology : [OE. segge, AS. secg; akin to LG. segge; -- probably named from its bladelike appearance, and akin to L. secare to cut, E. saw a cutting instrument; cf. Ir. seisg, W. hesg. Cf. Hassock, Saw the instrument.]
Definition : 1. (Bot.)
Defn: Any plant of the genus Carex, perennial, endogenous herbs, often growing in dense tufts in marshy places. They have triangular jointless stems, a spiked inflorescence, and long grasslike leaves which are usually rough on the margins and midrib. There are several hundred species.
Note: The name is sometimes given to any other plant of the order Cyperace?, which includes Carex, Cyperus, Scirpus, and many other genera of rushlike plants.
2. (Zo?l.)
Defn: A flock of herons. Sedge ken (Zo?l.), the clapper rail. See under 5th Rail. -- Sedge warbler (Zo?l.), a small European singing bird (Acrocephalus phragmitis). It often builds its nest among reeds; -- called also sedge bird, sedge wren, night warbler, and Scotch nightingale.
Source : Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913