pussy willow
Americannoun
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a small willow, Salix discolor, of eastern North America, having silky catkins.
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any of various similar willows.
noun
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a willow tree that produces silvery silky catkins, esp Salix caprea or S. cinerea in Britain or S. discolor in North America
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any of various similar willows
Etymology
Origin of pussy willow
An Americanism dating back to 1865–70
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Probably the best-known catkin showoff — beloved by bees, gardeners and flower arrangers — is the Japanese pink pussy willow Mt.
From Seattle Times ● Mar. 6, 2024
One of the easiest plants to harvest is the pussy willow.
From Washington Post ● Mar. 2, 2021
The buds of pussy willow are a welcome communiqué from friendlier, warmer months ahead.
From New York Times ● Apr. 4, 2018
After-dinner cordials may include a sharply bitter infusion of kumquats and pussy willow, or a strange, fragrant concoction of Italian bitter-almond liqueur and funky Pineau des Charentes from the area where Cognac is made.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 12, 2016
And when there were no flowers, it held a leaf arrangement, a gathering of twigs and berries, pussy willow, Scotch pine.
From "Song of Solomon" by Toni Morrison
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
