noun
horsetail
HORS-tayl
Horsetail (noun) means a simple plant with hollow stems that reproduces by spores rather than seeds. Example: “Horsetails grow in damp ground beside the stream.”
noun
1
botany A simple plant with hollow stems that reproduces by spores rather than seeds.
"Horsetails grow in damp ground beside the stream."
"The horsetail's jointed, hollow stems are easy to recognise."
"A patch of horsetail had spread across the allotment."
2
geography A waterfall whose falling water stays in contact with the bedrock for most of its descent.
"The stream slid down the rock face in a graceful horsetail."
"Walkers stopped to photograph the horsetail beside the path."
How to use horsetail
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA jointed, hollow-stemmed plant that grows from spores.
When to use it
In the plant sense it is a general term, used by gardeners and botanists alike.
Memory tip
The plural is horsetails, and the word is not usually hyphenated.
Trace the full origin ↓
Common pairings
field horsetail
horsetail plant
patch of horsetail
horsetail stems
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Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
_____ grow in damp ground beside the stream.
Etymology
It comes from Middle English horsetaile, which was made up of horse and tail.
Synonyms
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scouring rush
Rhymes for horsetail
See all rhymes for horsetail →Frequently asked questions
What is a horsetail plant?
It is a simple vascular plant with hollow stems that produces spores. Horsetails belong to the order Equisetales.
Is horsetail one word or two?
It is normally written as one word, though horse tail is recorded as an alternative form.
What is the botanical name for horsetail?
The plants are grouped in the genus Equisetum.
What is the meaning of horsetail?
"horsetail" (noun) means a simple plant with hollow stems that reproduces by spores rather than seeds.
