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drop-seed

drop-seed

9.4
A grass with very small seeds that fall off easily
  • noun
  • /ˈdrɒpˌsiːd/
  • Specialized
translation icon : semilla suelta
  • Some gardeners plant drop-seed for its drought tolerance and delicate seed heads.

Examples

  • Many prairies contain species of drop-seed that provide habitat for wildlife.

  • The drop-seed plants thrive in sandy soils.

  • The botanist identified the tall drop-seed growing along the edge of the field.

  • Many drop-seeds can be found in the prairie.

  • The botanist identified the tall drop-seed growing along the edge of the field.

  • Many prairies contain species of drop-seed that provide habitat for wildlife.

  • Some gardeners plant drop-seed for its drought tolerance and delicate seed heads.

Synonyms

dropseed
vsdrop-seed
  • Specialized
9.9

A grass with small seeds that fall easily when ripe

has identical meaning but is written with a hyphen

Surface Forms

drop-seed singular
drop-seeds plural

Morphology

drop-seed = drop + seed (transparent) = drop + seed

The name is a straightforward compound 'drop' + 'seed' referring to seeds that readily drop, so the meaning is directly inferable from its parts.

Etymology

Drop-seed comes from drop ('fall') and seed ('small plant part'), so the name pictures grasses whose tiny seeds easily fall away. That's why a drop-seed is a grass known for small, easily detached seeds.