bear grass
Americannoun
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Also called elk grass. a tall, western North American plant, Xerophyllum tenax, of the lily family, having narrow leaves and a dense, broad cluster of tiny white flowers.
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any of several other plants having linear, grasslike leaves, as those of the genera Nolina and Dasylirion.
Etymology
Origin of bear grass
An Americanism dating back to 1740–50
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The Washington Post published a front-page photo of her in a Karuk dress of dried bear grass, a woven basket cap and a white leather sash adorned with Pileated woodpecker scalps.
From Seattle Times • Feb. 20, 2022
It spurred hazelnut stems and bear grass used for intricate baskets and ceremonial regalia.
From Seattle Times • Oct. 28, 2021
Light, frequent burning of the forest understory maintains oak tree health, and the acorns and huckleberries for food, hazel and bear grass for weaving, and pepperwood and wormwood for medicine.
From The Guardian • Nov. 21, 2019
White Queen Anne’s lace and the bizarre, Dr. Seuss-like frizz of bear grass in bloom.
From Seattle Times • Aug. 5, 2014
The recent rains had filled hollows in the rocks, and the little folds of the mountain were green with bear grass.
From "The House of the Scorpion" by Nancy Farmer
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
