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View synonyms for twig

twig

1

[ twig ]

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.


twig

2

[ twig ]

verb (used with object)

, twigged, twig·ging.
  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.

verb (used without object)

, twigged, twig·ging.
  1. to understand.

twig

3

[ twig ]

noun

, British Archaic.
  1. style; fashion.

twig

1

/ 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)
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


twig

2

/ 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
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Derived Forms

  • ˈtwigˌlike, adjective
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Other Words From

  • twigless adjective
  • twiglike adjective
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Word History and Origins

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
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Word History and Origins

Origin of twig1

C18: perhaps from Gaelic tuig I understand

Origin of twig2

Old English twigge ; related to Old Norse dvika consisting of two, Old High German zwīg twig, Old Danish tvige fork
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Example Sentences

It was his unifying work that pruned all these twigs of knowledge into a single coherent and lovely tree — one that’s borne fruit for generations of scientists, mathematicians and engineers.

The Solo Stove Lite Stove is a stainless steel contraption that pulls in air through the holes in its base to help the sticks and twigs inside combust.

Two of my neighbors use those blowers that blow leaves and debris out into the street, but unfortunately they don't bag the leaves and twigs.

These insects, however, belong on a nearby — but different — twig of the insect evolutionary tree.

These ethanol-susceptible twigs sprout quite different animals.

Not even the tiniest twig from a tree falls unnoticed in this media forest.

Suddenly, we hear the sound of a twig cracking; all three men look around anxiously, particularly JASON.

To drop on one knee and level his piece was the work of an instant, but unfortunately he snapped a dry twig in doing so.

He clutches at a sharp point of rock here, or a twig there; but if it is not as safe as he believed, woe unto him!

There was a quiet, cynical smile on his face as he sat there beating a tattoo on his leggings with a hickory twig.

Burn the male olive-branch and the pine twig and juniper, and let the blazing laurel crackle amid the hearth.

Not a twig broke as they crept up the side of the deep ravine and looked out at the herd.

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