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feathertop

feathertop

9.8
A grass with soft, feathery flower heads that wave in the wind
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : hierba plumosa
  • The ornamental grass known as feathertop adds a soft, airy texture to gardens.

Examples

  • We spotted several clumps of feathertop waving in the breeze during our hike.

  • I love the look of feathertops in my garden.

  • Because of its feathery panicles, feathertop is popular in dried floral arrangements.

  • The feathertop grass swayed gently in the breeze.

  • Because of its feathery panicles, feathertop is popular in dried floral arrangements.

  • The ornamental grass known as feathertop adds a soft, airy texture to gardens.

  • We spotted several clumps of feathertop waving in the breeze during our hike.

Synonyms

feathertop grass
vsfeathertop
  • South African
9.3

A tropical African grass with soft feathery plumes

is a general name for any grass with soft feathery flower or seed heads
Stipa
vsfeathertop
  • Specialized
8.7

A thin grass with feathery flower heads often used in gardens

is broader, referring to any grass with soft feathery flower or seed heads
feather reed grass
vsfeathertop
7.6

A tall garden grass with feathery flower spikes used for decoration

is the general name for grasses with soft feathery flower or seed heads

Compounds

feathertop grass
  • South African
9.3

A tropical African grass with soft feathery plumes

Surface Forms

feathertop singular
feathertops plural

Morphology

feathertop = feather + top (transparent) = feather + top

A straightforward compound: the plant is named for having a feathery top (seed or flower head), which learners can infer from the parts.

Etymology

Feathertop is made from the two words feather ('feather') and top ('top'), creating the picture of a soft feather sitting on the plant's top. So feathertop is used for grasses whose flower or seed heads look like soft, feathery tops.