furze

noun

: gorse
furzy adjective

Examples of furze in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Now there are tennis courts in Plumstead Common, where a group of women once axed down fences and set the furze on fire to protest enclosure. Eula Biss, The New Yorker, 8 June 2022 There is Clapham Common, Streatham Common, Clapton Common, and Barnes Common, where commoners cut furze to burn for heat. Eula Biss, The New Yorker, 8 June 2022 Half-wild by then with the freedom of Their summer grazing among the furze and the heather, The white-faced Cheviots, elusive As the clouds streaming over the Wicklow peaks, Ran us and the young dogs ragged With their anarchic dodging and darting. Hartford Courant, courant.com, 11 Mar. 2018

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'furze.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English firse, from Old English fyrs; akin to Russian pyreĭ quack grass, Greek pyros wheat

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of furze was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near furze

Cite this Entry

“Furze.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/furze. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

furze

noun
: gorse
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