Main Entry: ¹reed

Pronunciation: \ˈrēd\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English rede, from Old English hrēod; akin to Old High German hriot reed

Date: before 12th century

1 a : any of various tall grasses with slender often prominently jointed stems that grow especially in wet areas b : a stem of a reed c : a person or thing too weak to rely on : one easily swayed or overcome
2 : a growth or mass of reeds; specifically : reeds for thatching
3 : arrow
4 : a wind instrument made from the hollow joint of a plant
5 : an ancient Hebrew unit of length equal to six cubits
6 a : a thin elastic tongue (as of cane, wood, metal, or plastic) fastened at one end over an air opening in a wind instrument (as a clarinet, organ pipe, or accordion) and set in vibration by an air current b : a woodwind instrument that produces sound by the vibrating of a reed against the mouthpiece <the reeds of an orchestra>
7 : a device on a loom resembling a comb and used to space warp yarns evenly
8 : reeding 1a

— reed·like \-ˌlīk\ adjective

[reed illustration]