spear grass

American  

noun

1. any of various grasses, as a meadow grass or a bent grass, having lance-shaped leaves or floral spikes.

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spear grass British  

noun

1. another name for wild Spaniard

2. any of various native Australian grasses, esp of the genera Stipa or Heteropogon , with sharp-pointed seeds

3. any of various grasses with sharp stiff blades or seeds

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Etymology

Origin of spear grass

First recorded in 1540–50

Example Sentences

October 10.—Set fire to the low spear grass of the valley.

From The Nile tributaries of Abyssinia, and the sword hunters of the Hamran arabs by Baker, Samuel White, Sir

And away we galloped again, until I had scarcely a rag an inch square on my back, or anywhere else, and my skin was tom in pieces by the prickly bushes and spear grass.

From Tom Cringle's Log by Scott, Michael

September 26.—The weather is now intensely hot, and the short spear grass is drying so rapidly that in some stony places it can be fired.

From The Nile tributaries of Abyssinia, and the sword hunters of the Hamran arabs by Baker, Samuel White, Sir

There is Newton marsh With its spear grass harsh— A pleasant summer level Where the maidens sweet Of the Market Street, Do meet in the dusk to revel.

From Letters of John Keats to His Family and Friends by Keats, John

Native grasses are the white clover, spear grass, blue grass, fox-tail and crab grass, the two last-named being summer or annual grasses.

From History and Comprehensive Description of Loudoun County, Virginia by Head, James William