Scouring rush

Rush Rush, n. [OE. rusche, rische, resche, AS. risce, akin to LG. rusk, risch, D. & G. rusch; all probably fr. L. ruscum butcher's broom; akin to Goth. raus reed, G. rohr.] 1. (Bot.) A name given to many aquatic or marsh-growing endogenous plants with soft, slender stems, as the species of {Juncus} and {Scirpus}. [1913 Webster]

Note: Some species are used in bottoming chairs and plaiting mats, and the pith is used in some places for wicks to lamps and rushlights. [1913 Webster]

2. The merest trifle; a straw. [1913 Webster]

John Bull's friendship is not worth a rush. --Arbuthnot. [1913 Webster]

{Bog rush}. See under {Bog}.

{Club rush}, any rush of the genus {Scirpus}.

{Flowering rush}. See under {Flowering}.

{Nut rush} (a) Any plant of the genus {Scleria}, rushlike plants with hard nutlike fruits. (b) A name for several species of {Cyperus} having tuberous roots.

{Rush broom}, an Australian leguminous plant ({Viminaria denudata}), having long, slender branches. Also, the Spanish broom. See under {Spanish}.

{Rush candle}, See under {Candle}.

{Rush grass}, any grass of the genus {Vilfa}, grasses with wiry stems and one-flowered spikelets.

{Rush toad} (Zo["o]l.), the natterjack.

{Scouring rush}. (Bot.) Same as {Dutch rush}, under {Dutch.}

{Spike rush}, any rushlike plant of the genus {Eleocharis}, in which the flowers grow in dense spikes.

{Sweet rush}, a sweet-scented grass of Arabia, etc. ({Andropogon sch[oe]nanthus}), used in Oriental medical practice.

{Wood rush}, any plant of the genus {Luzula}, which differs in some technical characters from {Juncus}. [1913 Webster]