Rush \Rush\ (r[u^]sh), v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Rushed} (r[u^]sht);
   p. pr. & vb. n. {Rushing}.] [OE. ruschen; cf. AS. hryscan to
   make a noise, D. ruischen to rustle, G. rauschen, MHG.
   r[=u]schen to rush, to rustle, LG. rusken, OSw. ruska, Icel.
   & Sw. ruska to shake, Dan. ruske to shake, and E. rouse.]
   1. To move forward with impetuosity, violence, and tumultuous
      rapidity or haste; as, armies rush to battle; waters rush
      down a precipice.
      
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            Like to an entered tide, they all rush by. --Shak.
      
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   2. To enter into something with undue haste and eagerness, or
      without due deliberation and preparation; as, to rush
      business or speculation.
      
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            They . . . never think it to be a part of religion
            to rush into the office of princes and ministers.
                                                  --Sprat.
      
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Rush \Rush\, n. [OE. rusche, rische, resche, AS. risce, akin to
   LG. rusk, risch, D. & G. rusch; all probably fr. L. ruscum
   butcher's broom; akin to Goth. raus reed, G. rohr.]
   1. (Bot.) A name given to many aquatic or marsh-growing
      endogenous plants with soft, slender stems, as the species
      of {Juncus} and {Scirpus}.
      
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   Note: Some species are used in bottoming chairs and plaiting
         mats, and the pith is used in some places for wicks to
         lamps and rushlights.
         
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   2. The merest trifle; a straw.
      
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            John Bull's friendship is not worth a rush.
                                                  --Arbuthnot.
      
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   {Bog rush}. See under {Bog}.

   {Club rush}, any rush of the genus {Scirpus}.

   {Flowering rush}. See under {Flowering}.

   {Nut rush}
      (a) Any plant of the genus {Scleria}, rushlike plants with
          hard nutlike fruits.
      (b) A name for several species of {Cyperus} having
          tuberous roots.

   {Rush broom}, an Australian leguminous plant ({Viminaria  denudata}), having long, slender branches. Also, the
      Spanish broom. See under {Spanish}.

   {Rush candle}, See under {Candle}.

   {Rush grass}, any grass of the genus {Vilfa}, grasses with
      wiry stems and one-flowered spikelets.

   {Rush toad} (Zool.), the natterjack.

   {Scouring rush}. (Bot.) Same as {Dutch rush}, under {Dutch.}
      

   {Spike rush}, any rushlike plant of the genus {Eleocharis},
      in which the flowers grow in dense spikes.

   {Sweet rush}, a sweet-scented grass of Arabia, etc.
      ({Andropogon schoenanthus}), used in Oriental medical
      practice.

   {Wood rush}, any plant of the genus {Luzula}, which differs
      in some technical characters from {Juncus}.
      
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Rush \Rush\, v. t.
   1. To push or urge forward with impetuosity or violence; to
      hurry forward.
      
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   2. To recite (a lesson) or pass (an examination) without an
      error. [College Cant, U.S.]
      
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Rush \Rush\, n.
   1. A moving forward with rapidity and force or eagerness; a
      violent motion or course; as, a rush of troops; a rush of
      winds; a rush of water.
      
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            A gentleman of his train spurred up his horse, and,
            with a violent rush, severed him from the duke.
                                                  --Sir H.
                                                  Wotton.
      
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   2. Great activity with pressure; as, a rush of business.
      [Colloq.]
      
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   3. A perfect recitation. [College Cant, U.S.]
      
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   4. (Football)
      (a) A rusher; as, the center rush, whose place is in the
          center of the rush line; the end rush.
          
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   {Bunt rush} (Football), a combined rush by main strength.

   {Rush line} (Football), the line composed of rushers.
      
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