rush

¹rush

noun \ˈrəsh\

Definition of RUSH

: any of various monocotyledonous often tufted marsh plants (as of the genera Juncus and Luzula of the family Juncaceae, the rush family) with cylindrical often hollow stems which are used in bottoming chairs and plaiting mats

— rushy \ˈrə-shē\ adjective

Origin of RUSH

Middle English, from Old English rysc; akin to Middle High German rusch rush, Lithuanian regzti to knit

First Known Use: before 12th century

Other Seed Plant Terms

aubergine, box, bramble, briar, composite, perpetual, pulse, trefoil

Rhymes with RUSH

blush, brush, crush, Cush, flush, gush, hush, lush, mush, plush, shush, slush, thrush, tush

²rush

verb

Definition of RUSH

intransitive verb

1

: to move forward, progress, or act with haste or eagerness or without preparation

2

: to advance a football by running plays <rushed for a total of 150 yards>

transitive verb

1

: to push or impel on or forward with speed, impetuosity, or violence

2

: to perform in a short time or at high speed

3

: to urge to an unnatural or extreme speed <don't rush me>

4

: to run toward or against in attack : charge

5

a : to carry (a ball) forward in a running play

b : to move in quickly on (a kicker or passer) to hinder, prevent, or block a kick or pass —used especially of defensive linemen

6

a : to lavish attention on : court

b : to try to secure a pledge of membership (as in a fraternity) from

Examples of RUSH

1. Firefighters rushed to the accident scene.
2. The children rushed down the stairs.
3. I rushed home from work to get ready for the party.
4. She rushed to close the window when she heard the rain.
5. We were rushing to catch the bus.
6. He got nervous because they rushed him.
7. He rushed through his work and made a lot of careless mistakes.
8. Water rushed through the pipes.
9. The rushing water broke through the barrier.

Origin of RUSH

Middle English russhen, from Anglo-French reuser, ruser, russher to drive back, repulse, from Latin recusare to oppose — more at recusant

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to RUSH

Synonyms

accelerate, bundle, fast-track, hasten, quicken, hurry, speed (up), whisk

Antonyms

brake, decelerate, retard, slow (down)

Related Words

drive, goad, prod, propel, push, race, spur, stir, urge; aid, dispatch, ease, encourage, expedite, facilitate

Near Antonyms

delay, encumber, fetter, hamper, hinder, hobble, hold back, hold up, impede, interfere (with), manacle, rein (in), restrain, shackle, tie up, trammel; arrest, check, stall, stay, still, stop

³rush

noun

Definition of RUSH

1

a : a violent forward motion

b : attack, onset

c : a surging of emotion

2

a : a burst of activity, productivity, or speed

b : a sudden insistent demand

3

: a thronging of people usually to a new place in search of wealth <a gold rush>

4

a : the act of carrying a football during a game : running play

b : the action or an instance of rushing a passer or kicker in football <a pass rush>

5

a : a round of attention usually involving extensive social activity

b : a drive by a fraternity or sorority to recruit new members

6

: a print of a motion-picture scene processed directly after the shooting for review by the director or producer —usually used in plural

7

a : the immediate pleasurable feeling produced by a drug (as heroin or amphetamine) —called also flash

b : a sudden feeling of intense pleasure or euphoria : thrill

First Known Use of RUSH

14th century

⁴rush

adjective

Definition of RUSH

: requiring or marked by special speed or urgency <rush orders> <the rush season> <a rush job>

First Known Use of RUSH

1879

Rush

biographical name \ˈrəsh\

Definition of RUSH

Benjamin 1745–1813 Am. physician & patriot

rush

noun \ˈrəsh\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of RUSH

1

: a rapid and extensive wave of peristalsis along the walls of the intestine <peristaltic rush>

2

: the immediate pleasurable feeling produced by a drug (as heroin or amphetamine)—called also flash

rush

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Any of several flowering plants distinguished by cylindrical stalks or hollow, stemlike leaves. They are found in temperate regions, particularly in moist or shady locations. The rush family (Juncaceae) includes the genera Juncus, the common rushes, and Luzula, the wood rushes. In many parts of the world, common rushes are woven into chair bottoms, mats, and basketwork, while rush pith serves as wicks in open oil lamps and tallow candles (rushlights). Other rushes include the bulrush (family Typhaceae), the horsetail (or scouring rush), the flowering rush (Butomus umbellatus, family Butomaceae), and the sweet rush, or sweet flag (Acorus calamus, family Acoraceae).