Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
Cinquefoil \Cinque"foil`\, n. [Cinque five + foil, F. feuille
leaf. See {Foil}.]
1. (Bot.) The name of several different species of the genus
{Potentilla}; -- also called {five-finger}, because of the
resemblance of its leaves to the fingers of the hand.
2. (Arch.) An ornamental foliation having five points or
cups, used in windows, panels, etc. --Gwilt.
{Marsh cinquefoil}, the {Potentilla palustris}, a plant with
purple flowers which grows in fresh-water marshes.
Marsh \Marsh\, n. [OE. mersch, AS. mersc, fr. mere lake. See
{Mere} pool, and cf. {Marish}, {Morass}.]
A tract of soft wet land, commonly covered partially or
wholly with water; a fen; a swamp; a morass. [Written also
{marish}.]
{Marsh asphodel} (Bot.), a plant ({Nartheeium ossifragum})
with linear equitant leaves, and a raceme of small white
flowers; -- called also {bog asphodel}.
{Marsh cinquefoil} (Bot.), a plant ({Potentilla palustris})
having purple flowers, and found growing in marshy places;
marsh five-finger.
{Marsh elder}. (Bot.)
(a) The guelder-rose or cranberry tree ({Viburnum Opulus}).
(b) In the United States, a composite shrub growing in salt
marshes ({Iva frutescens}).
{Marsh five-finger}. (Bot.) See {Marsh cinquefoil} (above).
{Marsh gas}. (Chem.) See under {Gas}.
{Marsh grass} (Bot.), a genus ({Spartina}) of coarse grasses
growing in marshes; -- called also {cord grass}. The tall
{S. cynosuroides} is not good for hay unless cut very
young. The low {S. juncea} is a common component of salt
hay.
{Marsh harrier} (Zo["o]l.), a European hawk or harrier
({Circus [ae]ruginosus}); -- called also {marsh hawk},
{moor hawk}, {moor buzzard}, {puttock}.
{Marsh hawk}. (Zo["o]l.)
(a) A hawk or harrier ({Circus cyaneus}), native of both
America and Europe. The adults are bluish slate above,
with a white rump. Called also {hen harrier}, and {mouse
hawk}.
(b) The marsh harrier.
{Marsh hen} (Zo["o]l.), a rail; esp., {Rallus elegans} of
fresh-water marshes, and {R. longirostris} of salt-water
marshes.
{Marsh mallow} (Bot.), a plant of the genus {Alth[ae]a} ( {A.
officinalis}) common in marshes near the seashore, and
whose root is much used in medicine as a demulcent.
{Marsh marigold}. (Bot.) See in the Vocabulary.
{Marsh pennywort} (Bot.), any plant of the umbelliferous
genus {Hydrocotyle}; low herbs with roundish leaves,
growing in wet places; -- called also {water pennywort}.
{Marsh quail} (Zo["o]l.), the meadow lark.
{Marsh rosemary} (Bot.), a plant of the genus {Statice} ({S.
Limonium}), common in salt marshes. Its root is powerfully
astringent, and is sometimes used in medicine. Called also
{sea lavender}.
{Marsh samphire} (Bot.), a plant ({Salicornia herbacea})
found along seacoasts. See {Glasswort}.
{Marsh St. John's-wort} (Bot.), an American herb ({Elodes
Virginica}) with small opposite leaves and flesh-colored
flowers.
{Marsh tea}. (Bot.). Same as {Labrador tea}.
{Marsh trefoil}. (Bot.) Same as {Buckbean}.
{Marsh wren} (Zo["o]l.), any species of small American wrens
of the genus {Cistothorus}, and allied genera. They
chiefly inhabit salt marshes.