reed

Everyday

1. A reed is a tall, thin, grass-like plant with a hollow stem that grows in or near water. tree →
2. A reed is a thin strip in some musical instruments, like the clarinet or oboe, that shakes to make the sound. tree →
3. (literary) A reed is a thin, weak person or thing, as in «a slender reed». tree →

In the lessons

In science lessons reeds grow in ponds, marshes and riverbanks and give homes to birds and insects. In music they are part of woodwind instruments. In stories, characters hide among the reeds. Phrases: «reed bed», «reed warbler», «reed instrument».

Examples

• Ducks were hiding among the reeds. tree →
• The pond was edged with tall reeds. tree →
• The clarinet needs a new reed. tree →
• Reed warblers build nests on the reed stems. tree →
• In old times people made roofs from reeds. tree →
• The wind whistled through the reeds. tree →
• Long ago people used reeds as pens. tree →
• Be careful near the reeds: the water may be deep. tree →

Note

Homophone: «read» (present tense, said the same: /riːd/) — «I read a book about reeds». Countable: a reed, reeds. A reed bed is a big patch of reeds. Reeds are not the same as bulrushes, though they grow in the same places.

In Jewish tradition

In Job, reed-grass cannot grow without water, a picture of those who forget God. In Ezekiel, a measuring reed is used to measure the new Temple and city.

Interpretation. Joseph explains the dream to mean seven years of plenty followed by seven years of famine in Egypt. Ezekiel's measuring reed is read as a sign of the exact plan God gave for the future Temple.

Examples

• And, behold, there came up out of the river seven kine, well-favoured and fat-fleshed; and they fed in the reed-grass. (Torah GEN.41.2, JPS 1917) tree →
• And, behold, there came up out of the river seven kine, fat-fleshed and well-favoured; and they fed in the reed-grass. (Torah GEN.41.18, JPS 1917) tree →
• Can the reed-grass grow without water? (Writings JOB.8.11, JPS 1917) tree →
• It shall be eighteen thousand reeds round about. (Prophets EZK.48.35, JPS 1917) tree →
• He measured the south side, five hundred reeds, with the measuring reed. (Prophets EZK.42.18, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Homophone: «read» (present tense, said the same: /riːd/) — «I read a book about reeds». Countable: a reed, reeds. A reed bed is a big patch of reeds. Reeds are not the same as bulrushes, though they grow in the same places.