- Enter a word for the dictionary definition.
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. [1913 Webster] 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. [1913 Webster] 2. (Zool.) A flock of herons. [1913 Webster] 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. [1913 Webster]