sedge hen

1 definition found

sedge hen - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Sedge \Sedge\, n. [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.]
     1. (Bot.) Any plant of the genus Carex, perennial,
        endogenous, innutritious 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.
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     Note: The name is sometimes given to any other plant of the
           order Cyperaceae, which includes Carex, Cyperus,
           Scirpus, and many other genera of rushlike plants.
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     2. (Zool.) A flock of herons.
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     Sedge hen (Zool.), the clapper rail. See under 5th Rail.
        
  
     Sedge warbler (Zool.), 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.
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