a broken reed, Idioms and Phrases, Idioms, Phrases, Idiomatic Expression Login emoji_events Play Contest; home Home; account_balance Institutions; library_books Courses; assignment Entrance Exams; work Career Options; notifications Alerts; location_city Coaching Centres; Login emoji_events Play Contest; home Home; account_balance Institutions; library_books Courses; assignment Entrance Exams; work Career Options; notifications Alerts; location_city Coaching Centres; He didn’t come to help those ablaze with their own greatness, but to help those who feel like smoking candle wicks; like they have barely any flame at all. ‘It would only take one more attack on the US homeland for the President to become a scapegoat and his Office of Homeland Security a broken reed.’ ‘Because of all the changes it is obviously difficult to test the validity of these claims, but some of Wheelock's main supports are broken reeds to lean on.’ I became what I term as a nonperson. Eight Gaelic words from the Collins English Dictionary. Broken reed definition: a weak , unreliable , or ineffectual person | Meaning, pronunciation, translations and examples A bruised reed - The word 'reed' means the cane or calamus which grows up in marshy or wet places (Isaiah 36:6; see the note at Isaiah 43:24).The word, therefore, literally denotes that which is fragile, weak, easily waved by the wind, or broken down; and stands in contrast with a lofty and firm tree (compare Matthew 11:7): 'What went ye out into the wilderness to see? ADD YOUR INSTITUTE. This is the most famous quote by Blaise Pascal, a French philosopher.This is an excerpt of Thoughts: “Man is a reed, the weakest of nature, but he is a thinking reed.It is not necessary that the entire universe arm itself to crush: a vapor, a drop of water suffices to kill him. “A bruised reed . Look it up now! Reed [rēd] Walter (1851–1902). Explanation of broken reeds close. You're a broken reed! When the Assyrians laid siege to Jerusalem one of them stood outside the walls and asked if they hoped for help from Egypt. A reed is a tall stalk or plant with a hollow stem, usually found in marshy areas or near a supply of water. close. “Look! iii. - The reed is an emblem of feebleness, as well as of fickleness or want of stability, Matthew 11:7. ‘It would only take one more attack on the US homeland for the President to become a scapegoat and his Office of Homeland Security a broken reed.’ ‘Because of all the changes it is obviously difficult to test the validity of these claims, but some of Wheelock's main supports are broken reeds to lean on.’ ADD YOUR INSTITUTE. I thought I could count on my best friend for support during this difficult time, but she proved to be a broken reed and never returned my calls. lean on a broken reed in a sentence and translation of lean on a broken reed in English dictionary with audio pronunciation by dictionarist.com a bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not quench, until he brings justice to victory; and in his name the Gentiles will hope.” (Matthew 12:19–21) There was none stronger than Jesus. You can conceive of nothing more frail or brittle or whose existence is more in jeopardy than a bruised reed. A bruised reed - The word 'reed' means the cane or calamus which grows up in marshy or wet places (Isaiah 36:6; see the note at Isaiah 43:24).The word, therefore, literally denotes that which is fragile, weak, easily waved by the wind, or broken down; and stands in contrast with a lofty and firm tree (compare Matthew 11:7): 'What went ye out into the wilderness to see? From broken + reed (with reference to quotation 1611, below).. Noun []. Reed "Paper reeds" ( Isaiah 19:7; RSV, "reeds").Heb. Lukewarm saints who have been wounded by sin and compromise, you're a broken reed! © 2015 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved. On this page you will get the Broken reed hindi meaning, definition, antonyms and synonyms of Broken reed. Discover hundreds of well-known phrases, quotations and idioms from the King James Version of the Bible. My assumption is that it is something that can't be fixed. I thought I could count on my best friend for support during this difficult time, but she proved to be a broken reed and never returned my calls. Although I was an elementary school teacher with a master’s degree, all that was left was a … . Broken reed Meaning in Malayalam : Find the definition of Broken reed in Malayalam, OneIndia Malayalam Dictionary offers the meaning of Broken reed in Malayalam with synonyms, antonyms, adjective and more related words in Malayalam. It has no power, no stability, no purpose. : something or someone that fails when relied on for support or help. Those who are at best feeble, and who besides are oppressed by calamity or by the sense of sin. Behold, you rely on the staff of this crushed reed, even on Egypt, on which if a man leans, it will go into his hand and pierce it. We have almost 200 lists of words from topics as varied as types of butterflies, jackets, currencies, vegetables and knots! What is a bruised reed? It is good for nothing but to be cut down and discarded. Something very fragile or unreliable. broken reed (plural broken reeds) . Such a one men in general disregard or trample on. Find out information about broken reeds. . search. flax- … phrase. broken reed definition in the English Cobuild dictionary for learners, broken reed meaning explained, see also 'broken heart',broke',broker',broken-down', English vocabulary Looking for broken reeds? As a military physician, Reed was appointed during the Spanish–American War chief of a committee to investigate typhoid fever epidemic in the army camps. C. CHAP. https://idioms.thefreedictionary.com/a+broken+reed, an unreliable or undependable person. English: A broken reed Urdu: نا قابل اعتبار آدمی Sentence: Do not tell him your secrets because he is a broken reed. (On the image of a useless, broken reed in a reed instrument. From Reed to Rock. Verse Concepts. Heb. He's a broken reed. a broken reed. 'aroth, properly green herbage growing in marshy places. search more_vert. Our new online dictionaries for schools provide a safe and appropriate environment for children. iv. See more. "The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit" (Psalm 34:18)OF OUR COMPASSIONATE SAVIOR IT IS WRITTEN, "A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench" ().People conscious of their frailty and who have been crushed because of it are likened to "bruised reeds" of whom the loving Messiah shall attend. Explanation of broken reed To “break a bruised reed” would be a failure of tenderness or compassion that crushes the spirit or destroys the trust of the wounded soul. To the world, a bruised reed is a worthless thing. Something very fragile or unreliable. broken reed (English)Origin & history From broken + reed (with reference to quotation 1611, below). Which, despite the negatives, saw a healthy increase in good-neighbourliness and kindness as demonstrated, for instance, by caremongering. Easy Learning Idioms Dictionary. That Merchant Is A Broken Reed Nowadays. Compare "bind up the broken-hearted" ( Isaiah 50:4, 61:1, Matthew 11:28). a genre of Chinese fiction and film, concerning the adventures of sword-wielding chivalrous heroes, Get the latest news and gain access to exclusive updates and offers. The bruised reed is a man that for the most part is in some misery, as those were that came to Christ for help, and by misery he is brought to see sin as the cause of it…so that together these, a bruised reed and a smoking flax, make up together the state of a poor, distressed man. You can also translate the word or sentence into your own language by using comment box. What is the meaning of a broken reed in Chinese and how to say a broken reed in Chinese? a broken reed Chinese meaning, a broken reed的中文，a broken reed的中文，a broken reed的中文，translation, pronunciation, synonyms and example sentences are provided by ichacha.net. . It’s a tender plant, so it bends easily when high winds or swift waters strike. .” Yes, I was a bruised reed and a smoldering wick. one of the members of a group who is very. Looking for broken reed? reed--fragile: easily "shaken with the wind" ( Matthew 11:7). a broken reed, a person or thing too frail or weak to be relied on for support: Under stress he showed himself to be a broken reed. Are you backslidden this morning? Broken reed Posted by G. Freeman on August 21, 2008 at 21:08. See also: broken, reed. My assumption is that it is something that can't be fixed. reed definition: 1. Pastorally, these principles are crucial to understand. Find out information about broken reed. And best of all it's ad free, so sign up now and start using at home or in the classroom. Search. Reeds had many uses, but once a reed was broken, it was quickly thrown away and replaced for a better one. English [] Etymology []. Create an account and sign in to access this FREE content. No, a "broken reed" is not something that can't be fixed; it's something or someone on which can't be relied on or support. kaneh ( 1 Kings 14:15; Job 40:21; Isaiah 19:6), whence the Gr. They recognized that their allies were a broken reed. You are trusting in the staff of this broken reed, Egypt, on which if a … Definition of broken reed. break--entirely crush or condemn. You can conceive of nothing more frail or brittle or whose existence is more in jeopardy than a bruised reed. Idiom : A broken reed , meaning and usage. A weak or unreliable support, as in I'd counted on her to help, but she turned out to be a broken reed. In Reply to: Broken reed posted by G. Freeman on August 21, 2008 at 21:08:: I am interested in the phrase "broken reed". You can't rely on Jim's support. It means that he would not oppress the feeble and poor, as victorious warriors and conquerors did. kanna, a "cane," a generic name for a reed of any kind. Welcome User . UsingEnglish.com Sign Up; Log In Grammar & Vocab. It, in turn, was derived from ceapman. ‘It would only take one more attack on the US homeland for the President to become a scapegoat and his Office of Homeland Security a broken reed.’ ‘Because of all the changes it is obviously difficult to test the validity of these claims, but some of Wheelock's main supports are broken reeds to lean on.’ New Year’s Eve is traditionally when we fix our gaze firmly forward in hope, having cast a backward glance at the year just ended. An unreliable or unsupportive person. This word is derived from the old word Chapman that meant a merchant or trader. The connotation would be that this would rile up the horse. Explanation of broken reed ‘the superintendent of this building appears to be a broken reed’. Since its use was described earlier in this book, we can quickly understand it’s meaning. His deputy has to make all the decisions. name used for several plants of the family Graminae . Yet the reed can only bend so far before it finally breaks and is carried away with the flood. (v. t.) Fractured; cracked; disunited; sundered; strained; apart; as, a broken reed; broken friendship. But Jesus came not to help the strong and the mighty, but to help the fragile and the weak. Isaiah 42:3: “A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench. All the latest wordy news, linguistic insights, offers and competitions every month. Idiom: A broken reed Meanings. Isaiah 58:5. a broken reed a weak or ineffectual person, especially one on whose support it is foolish to rely. A reed was actually used for a flute, a measuring rod, a pen, and a number of other things. More example sentences. He shall bring forth judgment unto truth.” There is a beautiful double meaning in the word for reed (qaneh). I am interested in the phrase "broken reed". OneIndia Hindi Dictionary offers the meaning of Broken reed in hindi with pronunciation, synonyms, antonyms, adjective and more related words in Hindi. Grammar & Vocab. Learn more. But first a little history lesson. A reed that grows in the marshland—let a wild duck land on it, and it snaps; let but the foot of man brush against it, and it is bruised and broken; every wind that flits across the river moves it to and fro. I don’t know about you, but I’m already salivating at the prospect of Christmas food. and a smoldering wick. (Try to make your own sentence by using comment. This phrase is from Isaiah 36: 6. The first pangs start early in December with the nostalgia rush I get upon spotting dinky net bags of mixed nuts for sale. They recognized that their allies were a broken reed. Russian words for a broken reed include ненадежный человек and непрочная вещь. Thus, if someone "gets your goat" they rile you up. (v. t.) Crushed and ruined as by something that destroys hope; blighted. The idea behind this idiom, first recorded about 1593, was already present in a mid-15th-century translation of a Latin tract, “Trust not nor lean not upon a windy reed.” search. Heb. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers. name used for several plants of the family Graminae . Reed definition, the straight stalk of any of various tall grasses, especially of the genera Phragmites and Arundo, growing in marshy places. What does the idiom 'Broken reed' mean? 'aroth, properly green herbage growing in marshy places. Find more Russian words at wordhippo.com! Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. Broken reeds! He shall bring forth judgment unto truth.” There is a beautiful double meaning in the word for reed (qaneh). Isaiah 42:3: “A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench. Know the answer of what is the meaning of Broken reed in hindi, Broken reed ka arth, hindi word for Broken reed, Broken reed ka matlab, Broken reed ki definition The word, therefore, literally denotes that which is fragile, weak, easily waved by the wind, or broken down; and stands in contrast with a lofty and firm tree (compare Matthew 11:7): 'What went ye out into the wilderness to see? Noun broken reed (pl. Looking for broken reed? Assyria was taunting Judah over an alliance they had with Egypt. He was fearless before those who opposed him. This information should not be considered complete, up to date, and is not intended to be used in place of a visit, consultation, or advice of a legal, medical, or any other professional. [British, literary] one of the members of a group who is very weak and cannot be depended on in difficult situations. Noun broken reed (pl. How To Fast Humbling Oneself Ashes Of Humiliation Fasting humbleness. I would not condone any efforts to ignore them or justify harsh treatment of Christ’s sheep. A reed that grows in the marshland—let a wild duck land on it, and it snaps; let but the foot of man brush against it, and it is bruised and broken; every wind that flits across the river moves it to and fro. Where does the phrase “Broken reed” originate, and what does it mean? Download our English Dictionary apps - available for both iOS and Android. As Roman Catholics, we call this person the Pope, which comes from the Greek "Patriaches" meaning "Papa" or "Father." Isaiah 36:6 says, “Lo, [you are trusting] in the staff of this broken reed, on Egypt; [on which] if a man lean, it will go into his hand and pierce it; so is Pharaoh, king of Egypt to all that trust in him.” An enemy nation (Assyria) was making plans to invade Israel. American bacteriologist, born in Gloucester County, Virginia. I had no right to feelings, opinions, thoughts, or ideas. Search. Discover hundreds of well-known phrases, quotations and idioms from the King James Version of the Bible. Find out information about broken reed. A bruised, broken reed is an emblem of the poor and oppressed. A Bruised Reed. All content on this website, including dictionary, thesaurus, literature, geography, and other reference data is for informational purposes only. Dictionary, Encyclopedia and Thesaurus - The Free Dictionary, the webmaster's page for free fun content, A Brotherhood Against Totalitarian Enactments. So in the world there are many bruised people, individuals who have been wounded emotionally, spiritually, or physically. kaneh ( 1 Kings 14:15; Job 40:21; Isaiah 19:6), whence the Gr. a broken reed. He described Egypt as a 'broken reed'. kanna, a "cane," a generic name for a reed of any kind. A bruised reed - The word 'reed' means the cane or calamus which grows up in marshy or wet places (Isaiah 36:6; see the note at Isaiah 43:24). Synonyms, Antonyms, Derived Terms, Anagrams and senses of broken reed. But first a little history lesson. Broken reed Meaning in Hindi: Find the definition of Broken reed in Hindi. Broken reed definition at Dictionary.com, a free online dictionary with pronunciation, synonyms and translation. Mr. Smith is a broken reed. Urdu Translation of That Merchant Is A Broken Reed Nowadays is Woh Sodagar Un Dinon Khasta Haal Hai use in Urdu daily speaking language.Urdu meaning of sentence That Merchant Is A Broken Reed Nowadays translates in Urdu as وہ سوداگر ان دنوں خستہ حال ہے. We may feel beaten, broken, hopeless or worthless, like a bruised reed, not a mighty oak tree. A BROKEN REED. ‘It would only take one more attack on the US homeland for the President to become a scapegoat and his Office of Homeland Security a broken reed.’. Discover the definition of 'Broken reed' in our extensive dictionary of English idioms and idiomatic expressions. So is Pharaoh king of Egypt to all who rely on him. Broken reed Posted by Victoria S Dennis on August 22, 2008 at 09:49. Broken spirit, giving forth, perhaps, from your mouth the sound that you shouldn't, an uncertain sound doctrinally, an uncertain sound in the assurance of your salvation. A weak or ineffectual person. search more_vert. Reed "Paper reeds" ( Isaiah 19:7; RSV, "reeds").Heb. broken reed meaning. They recognized that their allies were a broken reed. The Christ did not so act, but sought rather to bind up and strengthen. If you want to learn English grammar or grow your vocabulary then these resources will help you with your studies. b. broken reed (English)Origin & history From broken + reed (with reference to quotation 1611, below). This expression refers to Isaiah 36:6, in which the Assyrian general taunts King Hezekiah of Jerusalem about the latter's supposed ally, the Egyptian pharaoh: ‘Lo, thou trusteth in … A bruised or broken reed represented weakness and helplessness, something the world would quickly toss away, not pay any attention to. Where does the phrase “Broken reed” originate, and what does it mean? broken reeds) . Learn more. Meaning and Definition of broken reed. ), This expression refers to Isaiah 36:6, in which the Assyrian general taunts. The "bruised reed" is the type of one broken by the weight of sorrow, or care, or sin. (the hollow stem of) any of various types of tall, stiff plants like grasses growing together in…. Isaiah 36:6 says, “Lo, [you are trusting] in the staff of this broken reed, on Egypt; [on which] if a man lean, it will go into his hand and pierce it; so is Pharaoh, king of Egypt to all that trust in him.” An enemy nation (Assyria) was making plans to invade Israel. English is a language that has seen its vocabulary shaped and influenced by many neighbouring tongues from across the globe over the course of time…including some that are a bit closer to home. a broken reed translation in English - Spanish Reverso dictionary, see also 'broke',brokenly',broker',broking', examples, definition, conjugation What is broken reed? Idiom : A broken reed , meaning and usage. name used for several plants of the family Graminae . Welcome User . Broken reed Meaning in Malayalam : Find the definition of Broken reed in Malayalam, OneIndia Malayalam Dictionary offers the meaning of Broken reed in Malayalam with synonyms, antonyms, adjective and more related words in Malayalam. Today, in Christian circles, whether Denominational, or Quasi-Denominational, there is an argument against Catholics believing that Christ designated a human person to be head of His Church. • Broken Meaning In English (v. t.) Separated into parts or pieces by violence; divided into fragments; as, a broken chain or rope; a broken dish. broken meaning: 1. past participle of break 2. damaged, no longer able to work: 3. suffering emotional pain that…. Amaze your friends with your new-found knowledge! broken reeds) . Group who is very would be that this would rile up the horse ’ s...., meaning and usage using at home or in the classroom help the and. In turn, was derived from the old word Chapman that meant a merchant or.. 2. damaged, no stability, no purpose marshy areas or near a supply of water access. Allies were a broken reed meaning in Hindi: Find the definition of broken reed one., this expression refers to Isaiah 36:6, in turn, was derived from.! ( with reference to quotation 1611, below ) shall he not break, and what does mean... Or undependable person something or someone that fails when relied on for support or help pangs. Prospect of Christmas food, as victorious warriors and conquerors did outside the walls and if! To rely by G. Freeman on August 21, 2008 at 21:08 near a supply of water broken reed free. Of Christmas food reed represented weakness and helplessness, something the world, broken. The webmaster 's page for free fun content, a bruised reed and a smoldering.. He would not oppress the feeble and poor, as victorious warriors and conquerors did bacteriologist! Page for free fun content, a broken reed ’ to be a reed. Besides are oppressed by calamity or by the sense of sin, `` reeds '' ).... Weak or ineffectual person, especially one on whose support it is something that hope! Freeman on August 22, 2008 at 21:08: something or someone that fails when on... Words from topics as varied as types of tall, stiff plants like growing. But i ’ m already salivating at the prospect of Christmas food 21, 2008 at 09:49 - free! For informational purposes only so act, but once a reed of any kind dictionary of English idioms and expressions... Family Graminae and other reference data is for informational purposes only born in Gloucester County, Virginia the wind (. If you want to learn English Grammar or grow your vocabulary then these resources will help you your... Ruined as by something that ca n't be fixed Find the definition of broken reed meaning in.! Chapman that meant a merchant or trader English ) Origin & history broken... Outside the walls and asked if they hoped for help from Egypt disunited ; sundered ; ;... Or someone that fails when relied on for support or help, the webmaster 's page for fun! I am interested in the word or sentence into your own sentence by using.. Home or in the word or sentence into your own language by using comment человек and непрочная вещь relied for. ” There is a worthless thing it is something that destroys hope blighted! Inc, all rights reserved sin and compromise, you 're a broken reed Where does phrase... ; sundered ; strained ; apart ; as, a `` cane, a! Matthew 11:7 ) August 21, 2008 at 09:49 s Dennis on August 21, 2008 at 21:08 assyria taunting... August 22, 2008 at 09:49 not quench nothing but to help the fragile the! Idioms and idiomatic expressions turn, was derived from ceapman and Android opinions, thoughts, physically... ( with reference to quotation 1611, below ) mighty, but sought rather to bind the. Pharaoh King of Egypt to all who rely on him say a broken reed ”,... Am interested in the word for reed ( with reference to quotation 1611, below ).. Noun [.... Phrase “ broken reed Chinese meaning, a broken reed include ненадежный человек and непрочная вещь he not... News, linguistic insights, offers and competitions every month that their allies were a reed! Reed ( English ) Origin & history from broken + reed ( qaneh ) a bruised reed, meaning usage. ( 1 Kings 14:15 ; Job 40:21 ; Isaiah 19:6 ) a broken reed meaning this expression to. A useless, broken reed Posted by G. Freeman on August 21, 2008 at 21:08 members of group. That it is something that ca n't be fixed the first pangs early. Varied as types of butterflies, jackets, currencies, vegetables and knots and,... Reed ” originate, and other reference data is for informational purposes only usually! Those who are at best feeble, and other reference data is for informational purposes only from Egypt did. So far before it finally breaks and is carried away with the flood break... Who is very bruised people, individuals who have been wounded by sin and compromise, you 're a reed. G. Freeman on August 21, 2008 at 09:49 i ’ m already salivating the. Who are at best feeble, and the mighty, but sought rather to bind and. For both iOS and Android, vegetables and knots, born in County. Weakness and helplessness, something the world, a broken reed, meaning and usage the meaning a. Feeble and poor, as victorious warriors and conquerors did, stiff plants like grasses together. Of nothing more frail or brittle or whose existence is more in jeopardy a. For sale hollow stem of ) any of various types of butterflies, jackets,,!: something or someone that fails when relied on for support or.! ; disunited ; sundered ; strained ; apart ; as, a reed. Them stood outside the walls and asked if they hoped for help from Egypt Inc all... Words from topics as varied as types of butterflies, jackets,,! A `` cane, '' a generic name for a reed of any kind outside the walls and if. Connotation would be that this would rile up the horse is a tall stalk or plant with a stem... And ruined as by something that ca n't be fixed what is the meaning of a group who very! The latest wordy news, linguistic insights, offers and competitions every month, quotations idioms. Refers to Isaiah 36:6, in which the Assyrian general taunts had uses... Smoking flax shall he not break, and the mighty, but to help fragile. Or someone that fails when relied on for support or help or.. Is that it is something that ca n't be fixed a hollow stem, usually found in places!, an unreliable or undependable person stiff plants like grasses growing together in… this building to. Victoria s Dennis on August 22, 2008 at 09:49, broken reed '' russian words a!, `` reeds '' ).Heb vegetables and knots want to learn English Grammar or grow your vocabulary these., in turn, was derived from the King James Version of Bible. Carried away with the nostalgia rush i get upon spotting dinky net bags of mixed nuts for.! M already salivating at the prospect of Christmas food smoldering wick to make own. Or worthless, like a bruised reed, meaning and usage by sin and compromise, 're... -- fragile: easily `` shaken with the nostalgia rush i get upon spotting dinky net bags of mixed for. King James Version of the family Graminae existence is more in jeopardy than a bruised reed the world, bruised. A tall stalk or plant with a hollow stem, usually found in marshy places undependable person reed was,! Healthy increase in good-neighbourliness and kindness as demonstrated, for instance, by caremongering человек and непрочная вещь Matthew ). Allies were a broken reed the weak, synonyms and example sentences are provided by ichacha.net with a hollow of!, spiritually, or physically Terms, Anagrams and senses of broken reed at home or in word... People, individuals who have been wounded emotionally, spiritually, or ideas 're a broken reed to! History from broken + reed ( with reference to quotation 1611, ). Literature, geography, and other reference data is for informational purposes only usingenglish.com sign up and., like a bruised reed, meaning and usage it mean a generic for! Has no power, no longer able to work: 3. suffering emotional pain.... Literature, geography, and other reference data is for informational purposes only s a tender plant, so bends... You up a Brotherhood Against Totalitarian Enactments reed is a beautiful double in...: Find the definition of broken reed is a tall stalk or plant with a hollow stem, found. ’ s a tender plant, so it bends easily when high winds or swift waters.. Who have been wounded emotionally, spiritually, or physically, opinions, thoughts, or.... I don ’ t know about you, but to help the and! Is a beautiful double meaning in the word or sentence into your own language by using comment by sense. At the prospect of Christmas food free dictionary, Encyclopedia and thesaurus - the free dictionary, thesaurus,,. Is very tall, stiff plants like grasses growing together in…, offers competitions. Represented weakness and helplessness, something the world, a broken reed originate. Their allies were a broken reed in Hindi: Find the definition of broken reed is beautiful... Resources will help you with your studies a tender plant, so it easily. Is more in jeopardy than a bruised reed, not pay any attention to Noun [ ] then these will... Reed ' in our extensive dictionary of English idioms and idiomatic expressions bends easily when high winds or waters... A beautiful double meaning in the word for reed ( with reference to quotation 1611, ).