reed
UK: riːd | US: riːd
n. 1. A tall, slender-leaved plant of the grass family, growing in water or marshy ground.
n. 2. A thin strip of material (e.g., cane or metal) in musical instruments like clarinets or oboes that vibrates to produce sound.
n. 3. (Archaic) A primitive writing implement made from a reed stem.
The word "reed" traces back to Old English hrēod, meaning "a reed, rush, or cane." It shares Proto-Germanic roots (*hreud-) with Dutch riet and German Ried, all referring to marsh plants. The word's consistency across Germanic languages highlights its ancient connection to natural wetland vegetation. Over time, "reed" expanded semantically to include musical and writing tools derived from the plant's sturdy stems.
The pond was fringed with tall reeds swaying in the breeze.
The oboist replaced the cracked reed before the concert.
Ancient scribes sometimes wrote with reeds dipped in ink.
A rustling sound came from the reeds as the heron took flight.
The thatched roof was made of bundled reeds.