from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Fen \Fen\ (f[e^]n), n. [AS. fen, fenn, marsh, mud, dirt; akin to
D. veen, OFries. fenne, fene, OHG. fenna, G. fenn, Icel. fen,
Goth. fani mud.]
Low land overflowed, or covered wholly or partially with
water, but producing sedge, coarse grasses, or other aquatic
plants; boggy land; moor; marsh.
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'Mid reedy fens wide spread. --Wordsworth.
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Note: Fen is used adjectively with the sense of belonging to,
or of the nature of, a fen or fens.
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{Fen boat}, a boat of light draught used in marshes.
{Fen duck} (Zool.), a wild duck inhabiting fens; the
shoveler. [Prov. Eng.]
{Fen fowl} (Zool.), any water fowl that frequent fens.
{Fen goose} (Zool.), the graylag goose of Europe. [Prov.
Eng.]
{Fen land}, swamp land.
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