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Excerpt ​

Excerpt from The Gutenberg Webster's Unabridged Dictionary: Section F, G and H, by Project Gutenberg

Many plants are popularly called grasses which are not true grasses
botanically considered, such as black grass, goose grass, star grass,
etc.

Black grass, a kind of small rush (Juncus Gerardi), growing in salt
marshes, used for making salt hay. -- Grass of the Andes, an oat grass,
the Arrhenatherum avenaceum of Europe.-- Grass of Parnassus, a plant of
the genus Parnassia growing in wet ground. The European species is P.
palustris; in the United States there are several species. -- Grass
bass (Zoˆl.), the calico bass. -- Grass bird, the dunlin. -- Grass
cloth, a cloth woven from the tough fibers of the grass-cloth plant. --
Grass-cloth plant, a perennial herb of the Nettle family (Búhmeria
nivea or Urtica nivea), which grows in Sumatra, China, and Assam, whose
inner bark has fine and strong fibers suited for textile purposes. --
Grass finch. (Zoˆl.) (a) A common American sparrow (PoˆcÊtes
gramineus); -- called also vesper sparrow and bay-winged bunting. (b)
Any Australian finch, of the genus PoÎphila, of which several species
are known. -- Grass lamb, a lamb suckled by a dam running on pasture
land and giving rich milk.-- Grass land, land kept in grass and not
tilled. -- Grass moth (Zoˆl.), one of many small moths of the genus
Crambus, found in grass. -- Grass oil, a fragrant essential volatile
oil, obtained in India from grasses of the genus Andropogon, etc.; --
used in perfumery under the name of citronella, ginger grass oil, lemon
grass oil, essence of verbena etc. -- Grass owl (Zoˆl.), a South
African owl (Strix Capensis). -- Grass parrakeet (Zoˆl.), any of
several species of Australian parrots, of the genus Euphemia; -- also
applied to the zebra parrakeet. -- Grass plover (Zoˆl.), the upland or
field plover. -- Grass poly (Bot.), a species of willowwort (Lythrum
Hyssopifolia). Johnson. -- Crass quit (Zoˆl.), one of several tropical
American finches of the genus Euetheia. The males have most of the head
and chest black and often marked with yellow. -- Grass snake. (Zoˆl.)
(a) The common English, or ringed, snake (Tropidonotus natrix). (b) The
common green snake of the Northern United States. See Green snake,
under Green. -- Grass snipe (Zoˆl.), the pectoral sandpiper (Tringa
maculata); -- called also jacksnipe in America. -- Grass spider
(Zoˆl.), a common spider (Agelena nÊvia), which spins flat webs on
grass, conspicuous when covered with dew. -- Grass sponge (Zoˆl.), an
inferior kind of commercial sponge from Florida and the Bahamas. --
Grass table. (Arch.) See Earth table, under Earth. -- Grass vetch
(Bot.), a vetch (Lathyrus Nissolia), with narrow grasslike leaves. --
Grass widow. [Cf. Prov. R. an unmarried mother, G. strohwittwe a mock
widow, Sw. gr‰senka a grass widow.] (a) An unmarried woman who is a
mother. [Obs.] (b) A woman separated from her husband by abandonment or
prolonged absence; a woman living apart from her husband. [Slang.] --
Grass wrack (Bot.) eelgrass. -- To bring to grass (Mining.), to raise,
as ore, to the surface of the ground. -- To put to grass, To put out to
grass, to put out to graze a season, as cattle.

Grass (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Grassed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Grassing.]

  1. To cover with grass or with turf.

Explanation ​

This excerpt from The Gutenberg Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary (a digitized version of Noah Webster’s 1913 Unabridged Dictionary) is a lexicographical entry defining the term "grass" in its noun and verb forms, along with an extensive list of compound terms, botanical references, zoological classifications, and idiomatic expressions related to the word. Below is a detailed breakdown of the text, its structure, themes, literary devices (where applicable), and significance, with a focus on the excerpt itself.

1. Context and Source ​

  • Source: This is a section from Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary (1913 edition), digitized by Project Gutenberg, a volunteer effort to archive cultural works in the public domain. The dictionary was a monumental work of lexicography, aiming to standardize American English and document its usage, etymology, and technical/scientific applications.
  • Purpose: The entry serves as a comprehensive reference for the word "grass," covering:
    • Botanical definitions (true grasses vs. colloquial "grasses").
    • Zoological terms (animals associated with grassy habitats).
    • Cultural/idiomatic uses (e.g., "grass widow").
    • Industrial/commercial applications (e.g., "grass cloth," "grass oil").
    • Verb forms (e.g., "to grass" as in covering with turf).

The excerpt reflects the encyclopedic ambition of 19th/early 20th-century dictionaries, which often included scientific classifications and obsolete or regional usages alongside standard definitions.

2. Themes in the Excerpt ​

While a dictionary entry isn’t "literary" in the traditional sense, it reveals several themes through its structure and content:

A. Classification and Taxonomy ​

The entry is deeply concerned with categorization, reflecting the Victorian-era obsession with scientific ordering (influenced by Linnaean taxonomy). Examples:

  • Botany: Distinguishes "true grasses" (Poaceae family) from plants colloquially called "grass" (e.g., Juncus Gerardi, Parnassia).
  • Zoology: Lists animals tied to grassy ecosystems (e.g., grass finch, grass snake), often with Latin binomials (e.g., Tropidonotus natrix).
  • Human Industry: Terms like grass cloth and grass oil show how humans exploit grass for textiles, perfumery, and agriculture.

B. Language and Cultural Evolution ​

  • Obsolete/Slang Usages: The entry preserves historical language (e.g., "grass widow" as an "unmarried mother" [marked "Obs."] or a "separated woman" [marked "Slang"]).
  • Regional Variations: Notes differences between American and European species (e.g., Grass of Parnassus in the U.S. vs. Europe).
  • Idiomatic Expressions: Phrases like "to put to grass" (grazing cattle) or "to bring to grass" (mining ore) show how metaphorical language develops from literal roots.

C. Human-Nature Interaction ​

The entry implicitly highlights how humans use, name, and conceptualize the natural world:

  • Agriculture: Grass land, grass lamb (livestock management).
  • Commerce: Grass cloth (textile trade), grass oil (perfumery).
  • Mining: "To bring to grass" (extracting ore to the surface).
  • Folklore: "Grass widow" reflects social attitudes toward women’s marital status.

D. Scientific vs. Colloquial Knowledge ​

The entry contrasts technical and everyday language:

  • "Many plants are popularly called grasses which are not true grasses botanically..." → Highlights the gap between scientific precision and common usage.
  • Terms like black grass (a rush) or star grass (not a true grass) show how vernacular names often misalign with taxonomy.

3. Literary Devices and Stylistic Features ​

While not a "literary" text, the excerpt employs rhetorical and structural devices characteristic of reference works:

A. Definition by Exclusion ​

  • Opens by clarifying what "grass" is not: "Many plants are popularly called grasses which are not true grasses botanically..."
    • This negative definition sets up the need for precise classification.

B. Parallelism and Cataloging ​

  • The entry uses repetitive structure to list compounds:
    • "Grass of the Andes, ... Grass of Parnassus, ... Grass bass, ... Grass bird..."
    • This accumulation creates a sense of exhaustive coverage, mirroring the dictionary’s goal of completeness.

C. Parenthetical Asides and Cross-Referencing ​

  • Scientific names in parentheses: (Juncus Gerardi), (Poëcetes gramineus) → Signals authority and precision.
  • Cross-references: "See Green snake under Green" → Directs readers to related entries, reinforcing the interconnectedness of knowledge.

D. Markers of Usage ​

  • Labels like "[Obs.]" (obsolete), "[Slang]," or "[Zoöl.]" (zoological):
    • These metalinguistic tags guide readers on register, time period, or discipline.
    • Example: "Grass widow" is marked as both obsolete and slang, showing its declining or informal status.

E. Technical vs. Plain Language ​

  • Jargon: "Arrhenatherum avenaceum" (botanical), "Agelena nêvia" (arachnid) → Appeals to specialists.
  • Plain definitions: "land kept in grass and not tilled" (grass land) → Accessible to general readers.
    • This dual audience approach reflects the dictionary’s role as both a scholarly tool and a public resource.

4. Significance of the Excerpt ​

A. Historical Linguistics ​

  • The entry is a snapshot of early 20th-century English, preserving:
    • Obsolete terms (grass quit).
    • Scientific nomenclature pre-modern updates (e.g., Tropidonotus natrix is now Natrix natrix).
    • Cultural attitudes (e.g., "grass widow" as a term for abandoned women).

B. Scientific and Cultural Authority ​

  • The dictionary legitimizes knowledge by:
    • Citing Latin names (Linnaean taxonomy).
    • Including geographical specifics (e.g., Grass of the Andes).
    • Distinguishing fact from folklore (e.g., true grasses vs. "popular" names).

C. The Dictionary as a Cultural Artifact ​

  • Reveals what was deemed worth recording in 1913:
    • Colonial knowledge: References to Sumatra, China, Assam (grass-cloth plant) reflect global trade and botany.
    • Gender norms: The term "grass widow" (a woman separated from her husband) carries judgmental overtones.
    • Industrial focus: Grass oil for perfumery, grass cloth for textiles → Shows commercial applications of nature.

D. Limitations and Biases ​

  • Eurocentric focus: Most examples are from Europe, North America, or colonies (e.g., South African owl).
  • Male-dominated taxonomy: Scientific names reflect 18th–19th-century naturalists (mostly male, European).
  • Outdated terms: Some definitions (e.g., "grass widow") reflect historical gender biases.

5. Close Reading of Key Sections ​

A. Opening Sentence ​

"Many plants are popularly called grasses which are not true grasses botanically considered, such as black grass, goose grass, star grass, etc."

  • Purpose: Establishes that common usage ≠ scientific truth.
  • Tone: Authoritative but pedagogical—correcting misconceptions.
  • Implication: Language is fluid and often imprecise, requiring dictionaries to standardize meanings.

B. Zoological Entries (e.g., Grass snake) ​

"Grass snake. (Zoöl.) (a) The common English, or ringed, snake (Tropidonotus natrix). (b) The common green snake of the Northern United States."

  • Structure: Uses lettered subentries to distinguish regional variations.
  • Scientific vs. Colloquial: The Latin name (Tropidonotus natrix) elevates the definition’s authority, while "common green snake" makes it accessible.
  • Cultural Note: The inclusion of both English and American species reflects the dictionary’s transatlantic scope.

C. Idiomatic Phrases (e.g., To put to grass) ​

"To put to grass, To put out to grass, to put out to graze a season, as cattle."

  • Metaphorical Potential: While literal here, the phrase "put out to pasture" (not listed) later became an idiom for retirement.
  • Agricultural Focus: Highlights the rural economy’s importance in 1913.

D. Obsolete/Slang Terms (e.g., Grass widow) ​

"Grass widow. [Cf. Prov. R. an unmarried mother, G. strohwittwe a mock widow, Sw. gräsenka a grass widow.] (a) An unmarried woman who is a mother. [Obs.] (b) A woman separated from her husband by abandonment or prolonged absence; a woman living apart from her husband. [Slang.]"

  • Etymology: The comparative references (Provençal, German, Swedish) show cross-linguistic influences.
  • Social History: The term’s pejorative connotations reflect historical stigma around unmarried mothers or separated women.
  • Usage Labels: "[Obs.]" and "[Slang.]" signal shifting norms—what was once common is now archaic or informal.

6. Conclusion: The Dictionary as a Mirror of Knowledge ​

This excerpt is more than a definition—it’s a microcosm of how language, science, and culture intersect. Key takeaways:

  1. Classification as Power: The entry orders nature through taxonomy, reflecting Enlightenment-era scientific ambition.
  2. Language as a Living System: Obsolete terms, slang, and regional variations show how words evolve.
  3. Cultural Artifacts: From grass cloth (colonial trade) to grass widow (gender norms), the dictionary encodes historical contexts.
  4. The Limits of Objectivity: While aiming for neutrality, the entry reveals biases (Eurocentrism, gendered language).

In essence, this dictionary entry is a time capsule—one that teaches us as much about 1913’s worldview as it does about the word "grass."