Rush | Webster's Dictionary (1865)

Rūsh, n.

noun

n. [A-S. rise, rice, rixe, ryxa, L. Ger. rusz, risch, Lat. ruscum, allied to Goth. raus, reed.] 1. (Bot.) A plant of the genus Juncus, of many species, growing in wet ground. ☞ Some species are used in bottoming chairs and plaiting mats, and the pith is used in some places for wicks to lamps and rush-lights. The term rush is, however, often loosely applied to various plants having a similar appearance. 2. The merest trifle; a straw. John Bull's friendship is not worth a rush. Arbuthnot.

Rŭsh, v. i.

verbintransitive

v. i. [imp. & p. p. RUSHED (rŭsht); p. pr. & vb. n. RUSHING.] [A-S. hrisċian, to shake, vibrate, hryse, hrysca, a bursting or rushing in, hrisian, to push, hit, hrysian, to cast down, to shake, hresan, to rush, shake, fall down, Goth. hrisjan, to shake, Fries. hrüsse, L. Ger. rüsen, to fall down, Sw. rusa, to be forcibly carried along, O. Sax. hrisian, to be shaken, Sw. ruska, Dan. ruske, to shake, Icel. ruska, to disturb, L. Ger. rusken, rüsken, to creak, N. H. Ger. rauschen, D. ruischen.]

Sense 1. To move or drive forward with impetuosity, violence, and tumultuous rapidity; as, armies rush to battle; waters rush down a precipice.

They all rush by and leave you. Shak.

Sense 2. To enter with undue eagerness, or without due deliberation and preparation; as, to rush into business or speculation.

They ... never think it to be a part of religion to rush into the office of princes and ministers. Sprat.

Rūsh, v. t.

verbtransitive

v. t. To push forward with violence.

Rūsh, n.

noun

n. A driving forward with eagerness and haste; a violent motion or course; as, a rush of troops; a rush of winds.

A gentleman spurred up his horse, and, with a violent rush, severed him from the duke. Wotton.