bulrush

American  

[bool-ruhsh] / ˈbʊlˌrʌʃ /

noun

1. (in Biblical use) the papyrus, Cyperus papyrus.

2. any of various rushes of the genera Scirpus and Typha.

---

bulrush British  

/ ˈbʊlˌrʌʃ /

noun

1. a grasslike cyperaceous marsh plant, Scirpus lacustris , used for making mats, chair seats, etc

2. a popular name for reed mace

3. a biblical word for papyrus

---

Etymology

Origin of bulrush

1400–50; late Middle English bulrish papyrus, probably bull ¹ + rish rush ²

Example Sentences

Families and friends fish together on the lake’s banks and its fishing piers, casting poles through the California bulrush.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 22, 2024

Black bass are good near bulrush on worms, jigs, crankbaits, and topwater.

From Washington Times • Sep. 30, 2020

The lake was layered with sweet flag, sedge, lilies, horehound, bulrush and buckbean.

From New York Times • Oct. 21, 2016

On seeing Mr Blair's cover photograph she began to sniffle: "He was so full of promise," she said, "And look at him now, he's a broken bulrush in the River Nile of life."

From The Guardian • Sep. 3, 2010

Like the bulrush shoots, shame and fear could be woven into a plaiting of surprising strength.

From "Beauty Queens" by Libba Bray