Rush — Defs

01 n. A name given to many aquatic or marsh-growing endogenous plants with soft, slender stems, as the species of Juncus and Scirpus.

1.
A name given to many aquatic or marsh-growing endogenous plants with soft, slender stems, as the species of Juncus and Scirpus.(Bot.)
2.
The merest trifle; a straw.
“John Bull's friendship is not worth a rush.” — Arbuthnot.

Phrases & compounds

Bog rush — See under Bog.

Club rush — any rush of the genus Scirpus.

Flowering rush — See under Flowering.

Nut rush — Any plant of the genus Scleria, rushlike plants with hard nutlike fruits

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 — the natterjack.

Scouring rush — 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 schoenanthus), used in Oriental medical practice.

Wood rush — any plant of the genus Luzula, which differs in some technical characters from Juncus.

02 v. i. To move forward with impetuosity, violence, and tumultuous rapidity or haste; as, armies rush to battle; waters rush down a precipice.

imp. & p. p. Rushed; p. pr. & vb. n. Rushing

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.

03 v. t. To push or urge forward with impetuosity or violence; to hurry forward.

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.]

04 n. 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.

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.
A rusher; as, the center rush, whose place is in the center of the rush line; the end rush.(Football)

Phrases & compounds

Bunt rush — a combined rush by main strength.

Rush line — the line composed of rushers.