'Marsh hen' definitions:
Definition of 'marsh hen'
(from WordNet)
noun
noun
Definition of 'Marsh hen'
From: GCIDE
- Marsh \Marsh\, n. [OE. mersch, AS. mersc, fr. mere lake. See Mere pool, and cf. Marish, Morass.] A tract of soft wet land, commonly covered partially or wholly with water; a fen; a swamp; a morass. [Written also marish.] [1913 Webster]
- Marsh asphodel (Bot.), a plant (Nartheeium ossifragum) with linear equitant leaves, and a raceme of small white flowers; -- called also bog asphodel.
- Marsh cinquefoil (Bot.), a plant (Potentilla palustris) having purple flowers, and found growing in marshy places; marsh five-finger.
- Marsh elder. (Bot.) (a) The guelder-rose or cranberry tree (Viburnum Opulus). (b) In the United States, a composite shrub growing in salt marshes (Iva frutescens).
- Marsh five-finger. (Bot.) See Marsh cinquefoil (above).
- Marsh gas. (Chem.) See under Gas.
- Marsh grass (Bot.), a genus (Spartina) of coarse grasses growing in marshes; -- called also cord grass. The tall Spartina cynosuroides is not good for hay unless cut very young. The low Spartina juncea is a common component of salt hay.
- Marsh harrier (Zool.), a European hawk or harrier ({Circus aeruginosus}); -- called also marsh hawk, moor hawk, moor buzzard, puttock.
- Marsh hawk. (Zool.) (a) A hawk or harrier (Circus cyaneus), native of both America and Europe. The adults are bluish slate above, with a white rump. Called also hen harrier, and {mouse hawk}. (b) The marsh harrier.
- Marsh hen (Zool.), a rail; esp., Rallus elegans of fresh-water marshes, and Rallus longirostris of salt-water marshes.
- Marsh mallow (Bot.), a plant of the genus Althaea ( Althaea officinalis) common in marshes near the seashore, and whose root is much used in medicine as a demulcent.
- Marsh marigold. (Bot.) See in the Vocabulary.
- Marsh pennywort (Bot.), any plant of the umbelliferous genus Hydrocotyle; low herbs with roundish leaves, growing in wet places; -- called also water pennywort.
- Marsh quail (Zool.), the meadow lark.
- Marsh rosemary (Bot.), a plant of the genus Statice (Statice Limonium), common in salt marshes. Its root is powerfully astringent, and is sometimes used in medicine. Called also sea lavender.
- Marsh samphire (Bot.), a plant (Salicornia herbacea) found along seacoasts. See Glasswort.
- Marsh St. John's-wort (Bot.), an American herb ({Elodes Virginica}) with small opposite leaves and flesh-colored flowers.
- Marsh tea. (Bot.). Same as Labrador tea.
- Marsh trefoil. (Bot.) Same as Buckbean.
- Marsh wren (Zool.), any species of small American wrens of the genus Cistothorus, and allied genera. They chiefly inhabit salt marshes. [1913 Webster]