Cattail Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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cattail

[หˆkat-teษชl ]

Definition

Context #1 | Noun

wetland plant

A tall reed-like plant with long, flat leaves and a brown, cylindrical flower spike. Cattails are commonly found in marshes, swamps, and other wetland areas.

Synonyms

bulrush, reedmace, typha.

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Word Description / Examples
cattail

Commonly used in North American English to describe tall plants with brown, sausage-shaped flower spikes, often found in wetlands and marshes.

  • We saw several cattails growing by the lake.
  • Cattails are often used in crafts and traditional medicines.
bulrush

More frequently used in British English, referring to tall, tufted plants typically growing at the edge of ponds and rivers. Can also refer more broadly to several types of rushes and reeds.

  • The bulrushes swayed gently in the breeze by the canal.
  • Bulrushes provide a habitat for many small creatures.
reedmace

Used primarily in British English, similar to 'cattail,' focusing on the reed-like appearance of the plant. Common in descriptions of wetland flora.

  • The conservation area is home to various species of reedmace.
  • Reedmaces were growing thickly along the riverbank.
typha

The scientific name for the plant, used in formal or scientific contexts. Ideal for academic writing or detailed botanical descriptions.

  • Typha species can be found in wetland habitats across the globe.
  • Research indicates that Typha latifolia is resilient to varying water conditions.

Examples of usage

  • The cattail is easily recognizable by its distinctive brown flower spike.
  • Many birds build their nests using cattail leaves.
  • The cattail's fluffy seeds are dispersed by the wind.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Origin of 'cattail'

The word 'cattail' originated from the Old English word 'cattes taeฤกl', which literally means 'cat's tail'. This name was given to the plant due to its resemblance to a cat's tail. Cattails have been used by various indigenous peoples for food, medicine, and as material for making baskets and mats.


See also: cat, catamount, catapult, cater, catlike, cattiness, catwalk.