twig

¹ American  

[twig] / twɪg /

noun

1. a slender shoot of a tree or other plant.

2. a small offshoot from a branch or stem.

3. a small, dry, woody piece fallen from a branch.

   a fire of twigs.

4. Anatomy.  one of the minute branches of a blood vessel or nerve.

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twig ² American  

[twig] / twɪg /

verb (used with object)

twigged, twigging

1. to look at; observe.

   Now, twig the man climbing there, will you?

2. to see; perceive.

   Do you twig the difference in colors?

3. to understand.

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verb (used without object)

twigged, twigging

1. to understand.

twig ³ American  

[twig] / twɪg /

noun

British Archaic.

1. style; fashion.

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twig ¹ British  

/ twɪɡ /

verb

1. to understand (something)

2. to find out or suddenly comprehend (something)

   he hasn't twigged yet

3. rare  (tr) to perceive (something)

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twig ² British  

/ twɪɡ /

noun

1. any small branch or shoot of a tree or other woody plant

2. something resembling this, esp a minute branch of a blood vessel

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Other Word Forms

• twigless adjective
• twiglike adjective

Etymology

Origin of twig¹

First recorded before 950; Middle English twig, twig(g)e; Old English twig, twigge, twī originally “(something) divided in two”; akin to Old High German zwīg ( German Zweig ), Dutch twijg; compare Sanskrit dvikás “double”; twi- ( def. )

Origin of twig²

First recorded in 1760–70; of uncertain origin; perhaps from Irish tuigim “I understand”

Origin of twig³

First recorded in 1805–15; origin uncertain

Example Sentences

For the brown hairstreak, both charities rely on volunteers going out in the middle of winter to look for tiny, pinhead-sized eggs on twigs using magnifying glasses.

From BBC

FKA twigs is also due to perform in San Francisco and Coachella festival in California next month, but hasn't said yet whether these shows will go ahead.

From BBC

Plus, The Brutalist is coming to UK cinemas, actress Naomi Watts is due to release a book, and FKA twigs's new album is out.

From BBC

This created a family tree with older changes appearing in earlier branches, and more recent changes showing up in newer 'twigs', hence the name Twigstats.

From BBC

But in March, new life sprung from the tree's rescued seeds and twigs, giving hope that the iconic tree has a future.

From BBC

Related Words

• limb
• sprig