Soft-Grass
/ˈsɒftˌɡrɑːs/noun
A grass of the genus Holcus, especially the common soft grass Holcus lanatus, known for its soft, hairy foliage.
Did you know?The “soft” in soft-grass refers to the plant’s velvety, hairy leaves and stems, while grass itself reaches back to an ancient Indo-European root associated with growing and sprouting.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*ghrōs- / *ghre-
“A sprout, young shoot, or growth; the reconstructed source associated with grass and growing vegetation.”
Proto-Germanic
Proto-Germanic
*grasą
“Grass; vegetation growing from the ground.”
Old English
Old English
græs
“Grass, herb, or fodder.”
Middle English
Middle English
gras / gresse
“Grass or green plant growth.”
Modern English
English
soft grass
“Grass with a soft texture; later used as a plant name for species of Holcus.”
Modern botanical English
English
soft-grass / softgrass
“A common name for grasses of the genus Holcus, particularly Yorkshire fog, Holcus lanatus.”