foxtail

[ foks-teyl ]

noun

1. the tail tails of a fox.
2. any of various grasses having soft, brushlike spikes of flowers.

foxtail

/ ˈfɒksˌteɪl /

noun

1. any grass of the genus Alopecurus , esp A. pratensis , of Europe, Asia, and South America, having soft cylindrical spikes of flowers: cultivated as a pasture grass
2. any of various similar and related grasses, esp any of the genus Setaria

Word History and Origins

Origin of foxtail¹

late Middle English word dating back to 1375–1425; fox, tail ¹

Example Sentences

Kaley Cuoco has issued a warning to “all my dog lovers out there” after her pup recently underwent a “super intense surgery” to remove a piece of foxtail from his body.

From Los Angeles Times

“Prickly foxtails, poisonous weeds, tall grass, even the leaves of trees. They’ll stand on their hind legs to reach them.”

From Washington Post

The fox tricks the barnyard animals in the foxtail version.

From New York Times

Another tried to hide a plush blanket that was covered in foxtail seeds, ruined by an impromptu picnic.

From Seattle Times

They are targeting Johnson grass, giant foxtail, Canada thistle, nodding thistle, common teasel, multiflora rose, Amur honeysuckle, poison hemlock, marestail, Japanese knotweed and kudzu.

From Washington Times