Definition

Noun: 1. A type of grass: A European grass (Elymus repens, formerly Agropyron repens) known for its rapid and invasive spread through creeping underground stems (rhizomes). It is considered a weed in many areas, including North America.

Usage Notes

• "Quick grass" is a common name for a specific, aggressive species of grass. It is typically used in botanical, agricultural, or gardening contexts.
• It is often discussed as a problematic weed due to its tenacious rhizomes, which make it difficult to eradicate from lawns and fields.

Examples

• The farmer struggled to control the quick grass invading his wheat field.
• Quick grass can quickly overtake a garden if not managed.
• Its network of rhizomes allows quick grass to spread far from the original plant.

Advanced Usage

• The term can be used metaphorically to describe something that spreads rapidly and is hard to control, though this is a less common literary usage.
  • Rumors spread through the town like quick grass.

Variants and Related Words

• Couch grass: A more common synonym for the same plant.
• Quitch grass: Another variant name.
• Twitch grass: A regional name, especially in the UK.
• Witchgrass: A name sometimes used, though this can also refer to other weedy grass species.
• Dog grass: An older common name.

Synonyms

• Couch grass
• Quitch grass
• Twitch grass
• (scientific name)

Word Origin

The name "quick grass" comes from the Old English cwic, meaning "living" or "alive," referring to the plant's vigorous and tenacious nature. The "quick" in its name highlights its rapid growth and ability to spring back to life easily.

Noun

1. European grass spreading rapidly by creeping rhizomes; naturalized in North America as a weed