esparto

or espar·to grass

[ ih-spahr-toh ]

noun

, plural es·par·tos.

1. any of several grasses, especially Stipa tenacissima, of southern Europe and northern Africa, used for making paper, cordage, etc.

esparto

/ ɛˈspɑːtəʊ /

noun

1. any of various grasses, esp Stipa tenacissima of S Europe and N Africa, that yield a fibre used to make ropes, mats, etc

Word History and Origins

Origin of esparto¹

1585–95; < Spanish < Latin spartum < Greek spárton rope made of spártos kind of rush

Word History and Origins

Origin of esparto¹

C18: from Spanish, via Latin from Greek sparton rope made of rushes, from spartos a kind of rush

Example Sentences

At Durst Organic Growers in Esparto, Jim Durst harvests organic asparagus on 150 acres.

From Los Angeles Times

Also in vain were the artificial nests built of esparto grass in the almond trees and the birdseed strewn about the roofs, and arousing the captives so that their songs would dissuade the deserters, because they would take flights on their first attempts and make a turn in the sky, just the time needed to find the direction to the Fortunate Isles.

From Literature

He was livid, a sad expression on his face, trying to cover the hole in his throat with a plug made of esparto grass.

From Literature

Two nights later Úrsula saw Prudencio Aguilar again, in the bathroom, using the esparto plug to wash the clotted blood from his throat.

From Literature

He was tormented by the immense desolation with which the dead man had looked at him through the rain, his deep nostalgia as he yearned for living people, the anxiety with which he searched through the house looking for some water with which to soak his esparto plug.

From Literature