willow

American  

[wil-oh] / ˈwɪl oʊ /

noun

1. any tree or shrub of the genus Salix, characterized by narrow, lance-shaped leaves and dense catkins bearing small flowers, many species having tough, pliable twigs or branches used for wickerwork, etc.

2. the wood of any of these trees.

3. Informal. something, especially a cricket bat, made of willow wood.

4. Also called willower, willy.  a machine consisting essentially of a cylinder armed with spikes revolving within a spiked casing, for opening and cleaning cotton or other fiber.

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verb (used with object)

1. to treat (textile fibers) with a willow.

willow ¹ British  

/ ˈwɪləʊ /

noun

1. any of numerous salicaceous trees and shrubs of the genus Salix, such as the weeping willow and osiers of N temperate regions, which have graceful flexible branches, flowers in catkins, and feathery seeds

2. the whitish wood of certain of these trees

3. something made of willow wood, such as a cricket or baseball bat

4. a machine having a system of revolving spikes for opening and cleaning raw textile fibres

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Willow ² British  

noun

1. a small town in S Alaska, about 113 km (70 miles) northwest of Anchorage: chosen as the site of the projected new state capital in 1976, a plan which never came to fruition. Pop: 1658 (2000)

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Other Word Forms

• willowish adjective
• willowlike adjective

Etymology

Origin of willow

First recorded before 900; Middle English wilwe, variant of wilghe, Old English welig; cognate with Old Saxon wilgia, Dutch wilg, Low German wilge

Example Sentences

The water is low, but clear, lined with the shade of willows.

From Salon

In Yosemite, their return has been credited with the recovery of willows, aspens and cottonwoods, as well as an increase in beavers, songbirds and fish species.

From Los Angeles Times

An old book emerges, sat on a twisting willow branch, as a frail, glowing yellow hand reaches in to turn its pages.

From Los Angeles Times

As well as rice, the team are trialling other crops including lettuce and hybrid willow that grow in waterlogged conditions.

From BBC

Their post also featured a drawing of a willow tree.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• blue-green
• olive