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”; 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

But as he stepped forward, a twig snapped under the toe of his boot.

From Literature

She plucked a tiny twig stuck in one of her French braids.

From Literature

Periodically, he snapped a twig into a V shape and laid it down, pointing behind him.

From Literature

Sadako was sure that they would always be as close as two pine needles on the same twig.

From Literature

He asked me to find the driest twigs.

From Literature

Related Words

• limb
• sprig