sweet grass

American  

noun

1. any of several fragrant plants, as manna grass or the sweet flag.

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sweet grass British  

noun

1. an aromatic grass ( Hierochloe odorata ), traditionally used in Native American rituals

2. See flote grass

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Etymology

Origin of sweet grass

First recorded in 1570–80

Example Sentences

Branches of cedar and sweet grass braids, both traditional Native medicines, lined the tables.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 7, 2024

The move required closing hallways, pausing construction projects and turning off smoke detectors so that the burning of sage or sweet grass would not trigger an alarm.

From New York Times • Sep. 15, 2022

An eagle feather, a blessed drum, a smoking pipe, a rattle, braided sweet grass, sage, cedar and tobacco to be used for smudging and a turquoise stone.

From BBC • Aug. 29, 2021

Halpern persisted, coming to meetings bearing gifts of sweet grass and flat cedar, aromatic herbs prized by Indians. "I was trying to show I took the trouble to learn something about their culture."

From Scientific American • Jul. 8, 2017

The girls unhitched the mules, and sent them down along the eddying stream to crop sweet grass.

From "The Odyssey" by Homer