tussock

American  

[tuhs-uhk] / ˈtʌs ək /

noun

1. a tuft or clump of growing grass or the like.

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tussock British  

/ ˈtʌsək /

noun

1. a dense tuft of vegetation, esp of grass

2. 1. short for tussock grass

   2. country where tussock grass grows

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Other Word Forms

• tussocked adjective
• tussocky adjective

Etymology

Origin of tussock

1540–50; apparently akin to Middle High German zūsach thicket, derivative of zūse lock (of hair), brushwood. See -ock

Explanation

A tussock is a clump or tuft of something, like the tussock of grass at the top of a hill. Your grandpa might have an entirely bald head except for the tussock of gray on top of it, and your yard might consist of dandelions and one tussock of tall grass. It's most common to use this noun, in fact, for grass that sprouts taller than the surrounding growth. When tussock was originally used, in the 1540s, it meant "a tuft of hair." Its origin is uncertain.

Example Sentences

It revealed that prime night parrot habitat in Queensland consisted of areas of tussock grass called triodia that had been long untouched by fire, and close to water sources and seed-rich floodplains.

From New York Times • Jan. 4, 2022

The tahr’s significant weight and solid hooves are destroying precious snow tussock in sub-alpine regions.

From The Guardian • Feb. 25, 2020

The creature — not to be confused with the white-marked tussock moth — has sharp barbs that stick to skin and typically result in a rash or irritation.

From Fox News • Nov. 1, 2018

The endemic Cobb’s wren hides in the towering tussock grass.

From Washington Post • Sep. 1, 2016

On the other side the meads had become rolling downs of withered grass amidst a land of fen and tussock.

From "The Fellowship of the Ring" by J.R.R. Tolkien