Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Rush?

\Rush\, n. [OE. rusche, rische, resche, AS. risce, akin to LG. rusk, risch, D. & G. rusch; all probably fr. L. ruscum butcher's broom; akin to Goth. raus reed, G. rohr.] 1. (Bot.) A name given to many aquatic or marsh-growing endogenous plants with soft, slender stems, as the species of {Juncus} and {Scirpus}. Note: Some species are used in bottoming chairs and plaiting mats, and the pith is used in some places for wicks to lamps and rushlights. 2. The merest trifle; a straw. John Bull's friendship is not worth a rush. --Arbuthnot. {Bog rush}. See under {Bog}. {Club rush}, any rush of the genus {Scirpus}. {Flowering rush}. See under {Flowering}. {Nut rush} (a) Any plant of the genus {Scleria}, rushlike plants with hard nutlike fruits. (b) A name for several species of {Cyperus} having tuberous roots. {Rush broom}, an Australian leguminous plant ({Viminaria denudata}), having long, slender branches. Also, the Spanish broom. See under {Spanish}. {Rush candle}, See under {Candle}. {Rush grass}, any grass of the genus {Vilfa}, grasses with wiry stems and one-flowered spikelets. {Rush toad} (Zo["o]l.), the natterjack. {Scouring rush}. (Bot.) Same as {Dutch rush}, under {Dutch.} {Spike rush}, any rushlike plant of the genus {Eleocharis}, in which the flowers grow in dense spikes. {Sweet rush}, a sweet-scented grass of Arabia, etc. ({Andropogon sch[oe]nanthus}), used in Oriental medical practice. {Wood rush}, any plant of the genus {Luzula}, which differs in some technical characters from {Juncus}.
\Rush\ (r[u^]sh), v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Rushed} (r[u^]sht); p. pr. & vb. n. {Rushing}.] [OE. ruschen; cf. AS. hryscan to make a noise, D. ruischen to rustle, G. rauschen, MHG. r[=u]schen to rush, to rustle, LG. rusken, OSw. ruska, Icel. & Sw. ruska to shake, Dan. ruske to shake, and E. rouse.] 1. To move forward with impetuosity, violence, and tumultuous rapidity or haste; as, armies rush to battle; waters rush down a precipice. Like to an entered tide, they all rush by. --Shak. 2. To enter into something with undue haste and eagerness, or without due deliberation and preparation; as, to rush business or speculation. They . . . never think it to be a part of religion to rush into the office of princes and ministers. --Sprat.
\Rush\, v. t. 1. To push or urge forward with impetuosity or violence; to hurry forward. 2. To recite (a lesson) or pass (an examination) without an error. [College Cant, U.S.]
\Rush\, n. 1. A moving forward with rapidity and force or eagerness; a violent motion or course; as, a rush of troops; a rush of winds; a rush of water. A gentleman of his train spurred up his horse, and, with a violent rush, severed him from the duke. --Sir H. Wotton. 2. Great activity with pressure; as, a rush of business. [Colloq.] 3. A perfect recitation. [College Cant, U.S.] 4. (Football) (a) A rusher; as, the center rush, whose place is in the center of the rush line; the end rush. (b) The act of running with the ball. {Bunt rush} (Football), a combined rush by main strength. {Rush line} (Football), the line composed of rushers.