foxtail
foxtail Lexical Profile
foxtail Game Scores & Validity
• noun
North American The dry, barbed seed cluster of a foxtail grass, known for easily detaching and burrowing dangerously into the fur, skin, or orifices of animals.
"After hiking in the hills, we carefully checked our dog's paws to make sure he hadn't picked up any foxtails."
Any of various weedy grasses (such as those in the genera Alopecurus or Setaria) characterized by dense, bushy, spike-like flower clusters resembling the tail of a fox.
"The neglected meadow was overgrown with foxtail and other wild grasses."
The bushy tail of a fox, sometimes preserved and used as a clothing accessory or ornament.
"The vintage coat was adorned with a real foxtail hung from the collar."
• Rhymes for foxtail
Word Origin & Etymology
A compound of 'fox' and 'tail', so named due to the visual resemblance of the grass spikes to the bushy tail of a fox. Attested in English since the late 14th century.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.