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”; see origin at 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

Jessica Burdick, co-owner of the boutique Twig, said she would only receive trial updates from customers.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 3, 2023

When a speech to that effect was cut during the play’s development, Twig Hu, the show’s 18-year-old assistant director, who is also on the spectrum, asked that it be restored.

From New York Times • Sep. 15, 2022

More recently, Twig Case Co. has expanded to other Richlite-derived products beyond just iPhone cases, including minimal wallets and guitar picks.

From Washington Times • Apr. 17, 2021

Nature The encore documentary “Moose: Life of a Twig Eater” follows the struggles of a moose calf in Canada’s Jasper National Park.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 17, 2017

“We’ll win this thing,” Twig said, a little too intensely.

From "The Science of Breakable Things" by Tae Keller

Related Words

• limb
• sprig