bush
UK: bʊʃ | US: bʊʃ
n. 1. A shrub or clump of shrubs with stems of moderate length.
n. 2. (often the bush) Wild or uncultivated land, especially in Australia or Africa.
n. 3. (informal) A thick growth or mass, e.g., a bush of hair.
The word bush traces back to Old English busc and Old Norse buskr, both meaning "shrub" or "underbrush." It shares roots with Germanic languages (e.g., Dutch bos "forest," German Busch "bush"). The term evolved to denote wild, uncultivated land (the bush) in colonial contexts, particularly in Australia and Africa, reflecting its adaptation to describe dense natural landscapes.
The cat hid under the bush to avoid the dog.
They went hiking through the Australian bush for days.
Her curly hair formed a wild bush around her face.
The gardener trimmed the overgrown bush in the yard.
In rural areas, the bush is home to many native animals.