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.
On Saturday, Lviv’s flower market was crowded with women from surrounding villages selling pussy willow branches wrapped up in twine with spring flowers, berries and greenery.
From New York Times ● Apr. 17, 2022
One of the easiest plants to harvest is the pussy willow.
From Washington Post ● Mar. 2, 2021
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
"For example, it was always thought they were dependent on ancient oak woodland. In fact the caterpillars feed on sallow - or pussy willow - thicket."
From BBC ● Jul. 22, 2015
She knew spring was coming, even if there was snow on the ground, when she saw pussy willow in the bowl.
From "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn" by Betty Smith
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
