reedy
UK: ˈriːdi | US: ˈriːdi
adj. (of a sound) thin, high-pitched, and slightly harsh
adj. (of a person or place) full of or covered with reeds
The word "reedy" combines "reed," referring to the tall, slender-stemmed wetland plant, with the suffix "-y," which forms adjectives meaning "characterized by" or "full of." The term originally described places abundant in reeds, later extending metaphorically to describe sounds resembling the thin, high-pitched noise produced by wind through reeds. This dual meaning reflects the word's logical progression from literal vegetation to auditory imagery.
The reedy marshes along the river are home to many birds.
His reedy voice struggled to project over the orchestra.
The flute produced a reedy tone in the quiet room.
A reedy whistle echoed through the valley.
The old recording had a reedy quality due to its age.