noun
furze
FURZ/fɜːrz/
A spiny shrub with yellow flowers, also called gorse.
Bright yellow flowers cover the spiny furze beside the trail.
Etymology
Old English fyrs named furze, gorse, or bramble. The modern shrub name continues that older plant word, whose origin is unknown.
In context
About an open space, flanked with a forest on one side and sloping by abrupt declivities of thorn and furze upon the other, the inhabitants of Pongley were assembled.
More examples
- Thick furze makes the hillside difficult to cross.
- She wears heavy gloves when cutting back the furze.
- A small bird shelters among the branches of the furze.
Forms
furze · furzes
Similar words
- gorse
- A more common name for the same spiny, yellow-flowered shrub.