British Dictionary definitions for lyme grass

lyme grass

noun

a N temperate perennial dune grass, Elymus arenarius, with a creeping stem and rough bluish leaves

Word Origin

C18: probably a respelling (influenced by its genus name, Elymus) of lime 1, referring to its stabilizing effect (like lime in mortar)

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Examples from the Web for lyme grass

Historical Examples

It feeds on the stems of lyme-grass (Elymus arenarius) in May and June.
The Moths of the British Isles, First Series
Richard South
The sea-reed's and the lyme-grass's blue-green sharp blades gave some variety to the white sand.
The Sand-Hills of Jutland
Hans Christian Andersen
Suddenly, from one of these where there was no lyme-grass to keep down the sand, there arose as it were a thick smoke.
The Sand-Hills of Jutland
Hans Christian Andersen
Only the yellow sand along the shore remained as it was; it has no flowers to deck itself with, and lyme-grass is all its finery.
Tales of Two Countries
Alexander Kielland

lyme grass

Word Origin

Examples from the Web for lyme grass

Historical Examples

It feeds on the stems of lyme-grass (Elymus arenarius) in May and June.

The sea-reed's and the lyme-grass's blue-green sharp blades gave some variety to the white sand.

Suddenly, from one of these where there was no lyme-grass to keep down the sand, there arose as it were a thick smoke.

Only the yellow sand along the shore remained as it was; it has no flowers to deck itself with, and lyme-grass is all its finery.