Timothy

Part of speech: noun

Pronunciation: /ˈtɪməθi/

Definitions

1. A species of grass noted for its aromatic properties and superior quality
2. A cultivated grass recognized for its pleasant aroma, often used as livestock forage for its nutritional benefits, belonging to the genus Phleum, and typically found in various open spaces
3. A type of grass grown widely as fodder for animals due to its nutritious quality and sweet smell

Etymology: Timothy grass is named after a man, not a plant or a place. Timothy Hanson carried its seed from New England to Maryland around 1720, and the grass took his name because he was the one who brought it south. Its own history is a matter of who spread it, not where the name began. Hanson's journey mattered because the grass proved useful as hay. Farmers valued it for its fragrance and quality, and it spread across the colonies and beyond, which is why a single traveller's name ended up attached to a common pasture plant.

Synonyms: grass, hay, forage