Fescue

n. [O. Eng. festue, from O. Fr. festu, N. Fr. fétu, a straw, little stick, Pr. festuc, festuca, It. festuco, festuca, Lat. festuca.]

1Sense 1. A straw, wire, stick, or the like, used chiefly to point out letters to children when learning to read. “Pedantic fescue.” Sterne.

Escaped the ferula to come under the fescue of an imprimatur. Milton.

2Sense 2. A plectrum, or instrument for playing on the harp. [Obs.]

With thy golden fescue playedst upon Thy hollow harp. Chapman.

v. t. [imp. & p. p. FESCUED; p. pr. & vb. n. FESCUING.] To assist in reading by a fescue. Milton.