birch

[burch]

noun

1. any tree or shrub of the genus Betula, comprising species with a smooth, laminated outer bark and close-grained wood.

2. the wood itself.

3. a birch rod, or a bundle of birch twigs, used especially for whipping.

adjective

1. birchen.

verb (used with object)

1. to beat or punish with or as if with a birch.

   The young ruffians were birched soundly by their teacher.

birch

/ bɜːtʃ /

noun

1. any betulaceous tree or shrub of the genus Betula, having thin peeling bark See also silver birch

2. the hard close-grained wood of any of these trees

3. a bundle of birch twigs or a birch rod used, esp formerly, for flogging offenders

adjective

1. of, relating to, or belonging to the birch

2. consisting or made of birch

verb

1. (tr) to flog with a birch

Other Word Forms

• birchen adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of birch¹

before 900; Middle English birche, Old English birce; cognate with Old High German birka ( German Birke ); akin to Sanskrit bhūrja kind of birch

Word History and Origins

Origin of birch¹

Old English bierce ; related to Old High German birihha , Sanskrit bhūrja

Example Sentences

He says children were disciplined with birch sticks, which "was meant to be a loving form of correction".

From BBC

He says a study by the University of Worcester showed oak and grass pollen seasons are starting earlier and birch pollen is becoming more severe.

From BBC

For years, it was easy to forget that we used to be a woodland nation: around 6,000 years ago untouched swathes of oak, hazel, birch and pine blanketed an estimated 75% of the UK.

From BBC

This year the warm weather in the UK, plus last year's too, means conditions have been ideal for birch tree pollen - a major hay fever trigger.

From BBC

For instance, research by the University of Worcester found that the birch tree pollen season is getting more severe, while that from grass continues to fluctuate around the long-term average.

From BBC

Related Words

• beat up 
• clobber 
• crush 
• defeat 
• maul 
• overwhelm 
• paste 
• pummel 
• rout 
• spank 
• trounce 
• whip