Pronunciation: [kˈɛks] (IPA) 
The word "kex" is a noun that refers to a coarse grass or sedge found in Europe and North America. Its spelling may seem odd, but it follows the rules of English phonetics. The 'k' sound is spelled with the letter 'k', while the short 'e' sound is represented by the letter 'e'. The 'x' symbolizes the sound of the letter 'ks', which is customary in words borrowed from Greek. The IPA transcription of "kex" is /kɛks/.
Kex is a noun that refers to a type of coarse grass or sedge, specifically belonging to the genus Deschampsia. This term is mainly used in British English and is often associated with plants found in meadows, fields, or marshy areas. Kex typically grows in dense tufts and has long, slender stems with narrow leaves. The grass itself can vary in height but typically ranges from one to three feet tall. It is characterized by its rough texture and often has a hollow or pithy stem.
The word kex can also be used more broadly to refer to any dry hollow stalk or stem, even if it does not come specifically from the genus Deschampsia. This definition is particularly relevant in terms of plant debris or withered stems. For example, when crops or vegetation are harvested and the remaining straw-like parts are bundled or stacked, these dried stalks could be referred to as kex. In this context, kex is often regarded as trash or refuse, rather than a valuable part of the plant. Overall, whether referring to the specific grass species belonging to Deschampsia or to dried and hollow plant stems more generally, kex denotes a type of grass or plant debris characterized by its rough and fibrous nature.
The word "kex" has an interesting etymology that traces back to Old English and Middle English. It originated from the Old English word "cæce" or "ceoce", which meant a dry stalk or stem. In Middle English, it evolved into "kex" with the same meaning.
The term "kex" was often used to refer to the hollow, dried stem or stalk of certain plants, especially those related to the carrot family, such as the cow parsnip or the hemlock. These dried stems were sometimes used as tinder or for kindling, giving rise to the association of "kex" with something dry or combustible.
Over time, "kex" also took on additional meanings. In some dialects, it was used to refer to a dry, withered branch or stump. In Scottish dialects, "kex" became associated with a hard round seedcase or pod.
