Rhode Island bent

noun

1. a European pasture grass, Agrostis tenuis, naturalized in North America, having red flower clusters.

Word History and Origins

Origin of Rhode Island bent¹

An Americanism dating back to 1780–90

Example Sentences

The grass usually sold as Rhode Island bent is Agrostis vulgaris, the smaller red top of the East and of Europe.

From Project Gutenberg

On the golf links we use blue-grass without any mixture on some of the putting greens; sometimes we use Rhode Island bent, and on sandy greens we use red-top.

From Project Gutenberg

Rhode Island bent and Kentucky blue-grass are their foolish trade names, for they belong no more to Kentucky or Rhode Island than to other Northern States.

From Project Gutenberg

Two sorts of fine Agrostis are honestly sold under the trade name of Rhode Island bent, and, as trade goes, we may consider ourselves lucky if we get even the coarser one.

From Project Gutenberg