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Glite Dictionary
cord grass

cord grass

7.2
A tall grass that grows in marshes near the sea and helps hold the soil
  • noun
  • /kɔrd ɡræs/
  • Specialized
translation icon : hierba de cordón
  • The cord grass along the shoreline helps prevent soil erosion during storms.

Examples

  • The cord grass grows near the shore.

  • Scientists studied the growth patterns of cord grass in rehabilitated wetlands.

  • Cord grass plays a crucial role in protecting shorelines from erosion.

  • The marsh was dominated by tall cord grass swaying in the breeze.

  • Many birds nest in cord grasses along the coast.

  • In coastal wetlands, cord grass plays a vital role in stabilizing the soil and providing habitat for wildlife.

  • Researchers have studied how cord grass can improve water quality in estuarine environments.

Synonyms

cordgrass
vscord grass
  • Specialized
1 8.9

A tall grass that grows in coastal marshes and helps stop erosion

is the two-word historical or descriptive form for the same plant
Spartina
vscord grass
  • Specialized
9.3

A group of grasses that grow in freshwater swamps and salt marshes

refers to individual perennial species rather than the whole genus

Surface Forms

cord grass singular
cord grasses plural

Morphology

cord + grass

The phrase names a specific type of plant (Spartina) so a learner who knows 'grass' can infer it is a kind of grass, but the precise referent (coastal perennial species and its ecological role) and the sense of 'cord' are not predictable from the parts. Because the constituent meanings do provide partial information (a kind of grass) but not the full, specific meaning, this item is best classified as semi-transparent.

Etymology

Cord grass may come from its long, strong stems that look like a cord or rope. Those stems and tough roots hold the mud together like cords, so the plant helps keep the soil in place and protect the shore.