from
The 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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