from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Marsh \Marsh\, n. [OE. mersch, AS. mersc, fr. mere lake. See
{Mere} pool, and cf. {Marish}, {Morass}.]
A tract of soft wet land, commonly covered partially or
wholly with water; a fen; a swamp; a morass. [Written also
{marish}.]
[1913 Webster]
{Marsh asphodel} (Bot.), a plant ({Nartheeium ossifragum})
with linear equitant leaves, and a raceme of small white
flowers; -- called also {bog asphodel}.
{Marsh cinquefoil} (Bot.), a plant ({Potentilla palustris})
having purple flowers, and found growing in marshy places;
marsh five-finger.
{Marsh elder}. (Bot.)
(a) The guelder-rose or cranberry tree ({Viburnum Opulus}).
(b) In the United States, a composite shrub growing in salt
marshes ({Iva frutescens}).
{Marsh five-finger}. (Bot.) See {Marsh cinquefoil} (above).
{Marsh gas}. (Chem.) See under {Gas}.
{Marsh grass} (Bot.), a genus ({Spartina}) of coarse grasses
growing in marshes; -- called also {cord grass}. The tall
{Spartina cynosuroides} is not good for hay unless cut
very young. The low {Spartina juncea} is a common
component of salt hay.
{Marsh harrier} (Zool.), a European hawk or harrier ({Circus
aeruginosus}); -- called also {marsh hawk}, {moor hawk},
{moor buzzard}, {puttock}.
{Marsh hawk}. (Zool.)
(a) A hawk or harrier ({Circus cyaneus}), native of both
America and Europe. The adults are bluish slate above,
with a white rump. Called also {hen harrier}, and {mouse
hawk}.
(b) The marsh harrier.
{Marsh hen} (Zool.), a rail; esp., {Rallus elegans} of
fresh-water marshes, and {Rallus longirostris} of
salt-water marshes.
{Marsh mallow} (Bot.), a plant of the genus {Althaea} (
{Althaea officinalis}) common in marshes near the
seashore, and whose root is much used in medicine as a
demulcent.
{Marsh marigold}. (Bot.) See in the Vocabulary.
{Marsh pennywort} (Bot.), any plant of the umbelliferous
genus {Hydrocotyle}; low herbs with roundish leaves,
growing in wet places; -- called also {water pennywort}.
{Marsh quail} (Zool.), the meadow lark.
{Marsh rosemary} (Bot.), a plant of the genus {Statice}
({Statice Limonium}), common in salt marshes. Its root is
powerfully astringent, and is sometimes used in medicine.
Called also {sea lavender}.
{Marsh samphire} (Bot.), a plant ({Salicornia herbacea})
found along seacoasts. See {Glasswort}.
{Marsh St. John's-wort} (Bot.), an American herb ({Elodes
Virginica}) with small opposite leaves and flesh-colored
flowers.
{Marsh tea}. (Bot.). Same as {Labrador tea}.
{Marsh trefoil}. (Bot.) Same as {Buckbean}.
{Marsh wren} (Zool.), any species of small American wrens of
the genus {Cistothorus}, and allied genera. They chiefly
inhabit salt marshes.
[1913 Webster]