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

He shifted further along, dropping the thin gold twigs down to Mal’s waiting hands.

From Literature

She pulls a wet twig from my jacket pocket.

From Literature

While it was starting, he pulled up a stool between it and Cornelius, who was chilling in the tank with his prehensile tail wrapped around a twig.

From Literature

Then there are some measures already required under previous wildfire regulations — such as removing dead vegetation like twigs and leaves, from the ground, roof and gutters — that are not under debate.

From Los Angeles Times

I jumped at the sound of a twig snapping.

From Literature

Related Words

• limb
• sprig