willard's bromus

1 definition found

willard's bromus - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Chess \Chess\, n. (Bot.)
     A species of brome grass (Bromus secalinus) which is a
     troublesome weed in wheat fields, and is often erroneously
     regarded as degenerate or changed wheat; it bears a very
     slight resemblance to oats, and if reaped and ground up with
     wheat, so as to be used for food, is said to produce narcotic
     effects; -- called also cheat and Willard's bromus. [U.
     S.]
     [1913 Webster]
  
     Note: Other species of brome grass are called upright chess
           , soft chess, etc.
           [1913 Webster]