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countable and uncountable, plural tumbleweeds
Any plant which habitually breaks away from its roots once dry, forming a light, rolling mass which is driven by the wind from place to place; as Russian thistle, wild indigo, witch grass, Amaranthus albus, etc. examples
(attributive) Describing unwanted silence and inactivity. Often used of a situation when one makes a statement that is ignored or ill-received by one's audience, as the resultant silence is likened to that of a desolate desert with rolling tumbleweeds. quotations examples
Putting an ad in the local paper that Spock's Beard and Arena are in town will get you a tumbleweed response and some wasted revenue.
2000 January 21, Plsntgrn, “Re: SOAR Budget (A Long Guestimate)”, in alt.music.progressive
“Why do families argue?” may only induce the tumbleweed response. (Could you answer that question out of the blue?)
2005, Trevor Wright, How to Be a Brilliant English Teacher, page 68
A tan colour, like that of a tumbleweed. examples