withy

withy
I. noun (plural withies) Etymology: Middle English, from Old English wīthig; akin to Old High German wīda willow, Latin vitis vine, viēre to plait — more at wire Date: before 12th century 1. willow; especially osier 1 2. a flexible slender twig or branch (as of osier) ; withe II. adjective Etymology: withe Date: 1598 flexibly tough

New Collegiate Dictionary. 2001.

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  • Withy — is the name given to strong flexible willow stems that are typically used in thatching and for gardening. An advantage of using this type of material is said to be a greater resistance to woodworm. Several species and hybrid cultivars of willows… …   Wikipedia

  • Withy — With y, n.; pl. {Withies}. [OE. withe, wipi, AS. w[=i]?ig a willow, willow twig; akin to G. weide willow, OHG. w[=i]da, Icel. v[=i]?ja, a withy, Sw. vide a willow twig, Dan. vidie a willow, osier, Gr. ?, and probably to L. vitis a vine, viere to… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Withy — With y, a. Made of withes; like a withe; flexible and tough; also, abounding in withes. [1913 Webster] The stream is brimful now, and lies high in this little withy plantation. G. Eliot. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • withy — O.E. wiðig willow, willow twig, from P.Gmc. *withjon willow (Cf. O.N. viðir, Dan. vidje, O.H.G. wida, Ger. Weide willow ), from PIE *wei ti , suffixed form of root *wei to bend, twist (Cf. Avestan vaeiti osier, Gk …   Etymology dictionary

  • withy — [with′ē, with′ē] n. pl. withies [ME < OE withig, willow, twig of willow: for IE base see WITHE] a tough, flexible twig of willow, osier, etc., used for binding things; withe adj. tough and flexible; wiry …   English World dictionary

  • withy — sb. == halter of withy. Alys. 4714. AS. wíðie …   Oldest English Words

  • withy — /widh ee, with ee/, n., pl. withies, adj., withier, withiest. Chiefly Brit. n. 1. a willow. 2. a pliable branch or twig, esp. a withe. 3. a band, loop, halter, or rope of slender twigs; widdy. adj. 4. made of pliable branches or twigs, esp. of… …   Universalium

  • withy — 1. adjective /ˈwɪð.i,ˈwɪθ.i/ Flexible, like a withe. Syn: flexible 2. noun /ˈwɪð.i,ˈwɪθ.i/ a) The osier willow (Salix viminalis). b) A lon …   Wiktionary

  • Withy — A flexible branch of the willow used for tying and binding. Cf. Laqueus …   Dictionary of Medieval Terms and Phrases

  • withy — n. willow tree; sprout, sprig, shoot adj. made from sprouts, made from sprigs; flexible, pliable …   English contemporary dictionary

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