osier

[ oh-zher ]

noun

1. any of various willows, as the red osier, having tough, flexible twigs or branches that are used for wickerwork.
2. a twig from such a willow.
3. any of various North American dogwoods.

osier

/ ˈəʊzɪə /

noun

1. any of various willow trees, esp Salix viminalis, whose flexible branches or twigs are used for making baskets, etc
2. a twig or branch from such a tree
3. any of several North American dogwoods, esp the red osier

Other Words From

• osiered adjective
• osier·like adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of osier¹

1300–50; Middle English < Middle French; akin to Medieval Latin ausāria willow bed

Word History and Origins

Origin of osier¹

C14: from Old French, probably from Medieval Latin ausēria, perhaps of Gaulish origin; compare Breton aoz

Example Sentences

A variety of colors was the only ornament of their wooden or osier shields.

From Project Gutenberg

Their roads were marvels of engineering construction, but they could not build bridges except frail ones made out of osier cables.

From Project Gutenberg

But the youngest sister would not hear of it, and they all rose out of sight in their osier basket.

From Project Gutenberg

In those days the lazy waters of the Loire flowed midst osier-beds and birchen thickets, since removed for purposes of navigation.

From Project Gutenberg

The shields displayed their texture of osier or bull-tendon, destitute of their coverings of hide.

From Project Gutenberg