witch hazel

American  

[wich hey-zuhl] / ˈwɪtʃ ˌheɪ zəl /

noun

witch hazels plural

1. a shrub, Hamamelis virginiana, of eastern North America, having toothed, egg-shaped leaves and small, yellow flowers.

2. a liquid extraction from the leaves or bark of this plant mixed with water and alcohol, used externally as a liniment for inflammations and bruises and as an astringent.

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witch hazel British  

noun

1. any of several trees and shrubs of the genus Hamamelis, esp H. virginiana, of North America, having ornamental yellow flowers and medicinal properties: family Hamamelidaceae

2. an astringent medicinal solution containing an extract of the bark and leaves of H. virginiana, applied to treat bruises, inflammation, etc

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• witch hazels
  plural

Etymology

Origin of witch hazel

1535–45; witch, variant of wych ( see wych elm)

Compare meaning

How does witch-hazel compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• witch hazel vs. alcohol

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

witch hazel

And I could shrink the rest of the back lawn with native plants like sweet fern, sweetbells, witch hazel and silky dogwood that thrive without full sun.

From Seattle Times ● May 2, 2019

Whither the Japanese snowbell tree, or the Arnold Promise witch hazel or sedum Autumn Joy?

From Washington Post ● Apr. 8, 2019

Finally, the easiest plants to prune are witch hazel, cotoneaster, enkianthus, PeeGee hydrangea, climbing roses, tree peonies and many viburnums.

From Washington Times ● Feb. 26, 2019

He is known for giving what he calls a “gentleman cut, no crazy look, high class, clean-cut,” and for using old-fashioned supplies like witch hazel, cotton necklaces to catch loose hair and monogrammed capes.

From New York Times ● Dec. 7, 2018

Cut the shirt off’ my girl Clean the wounds with witch hazel and pack them with turmeric.

From "An Ember in the Ashes" by Sabaa Tahir