fescue
UK[ˈfɛskjuː]US[ˈfɛskjuː]
n
any of a genus of perennial grasses with narrow leaves, often used for pasture, hay, and lawns.
Etymology
the word "fescue" entered english in the 14th century from the old french term "festu," meaning "straw" or "stalk." this old french word itself derived from the latin "festūca," signifying a "stalk," "stem," or "straw." the latin term is believed to have deeper, possibly obscure, origins, potentially from a non-indo-european substrate language. the semantic journey is direct, from the general concept of a straw or stalk to the specific application for a type of slender, stalk-like grass.
Analysis
the word is a simplex loanword. it does not contain separable morphemes in its modern english spelling.
Examples
the meadow was covered in a fine, soft fescue that swayed in the breeze.
many drought-resistant lawn seed mixes rely heavily on varieties of fescue.
the farmer planted a field of tall fescue to provide winter forage for the cattle.