withe

[ with, with, wahyth ]

noun

1. a willow twig or osier.
2. any tough, flexible twig or stem suitable for binding things together.
3. an elastic handle for a tool, to lessen shock occurring in use.
4. a partition dividing flues of a chimney.

verb (used with object)

, withed, with·ing.

1. to bind with withes.

withe

/ wɪθ; waɪð; wɪð /

noun

1. a strong flexible twig, esp of willow, suitable for binding things together; withy
2. a band or rope of twisted twigs or stems
3. a handle made of elastic material, fitted on some tools to reduce the shock during use
4. a wall with a thickness of half a brick, such as a leaf of a cavity wall, or a division between two chimney flues

verb

1. tr to bind with withes

Word History and Origins

Origin of withe¹

before 1000; Middle English, Old English withthe; akin to Old Norse vīthir withy, Gothic kunawida chain, Latin viēre to weave together

Word History and Origins

Origin of withe¹

Old English withthe; related to Old Norse vithja, Old High German witta, widi, Gothic wida

Example Sentences

Please cut down a hickory withe, and peel the bark off for me, while I hold its legs.

From Project Gutenberg

Nathelesse she holdyng that place givethe others for to signyfie; for withe-out cifre or cifres a pure article may not be writte.

From Project Gutenberg

It was Wastei, and he carried in his hand a magnificent string of trout, threaded by the gills upon a willow withe.

From Project Gutenberg

Others are used in handles, either fastened with gum, or consisting of a withe passed round the stone and tied underneath.

From Project Gutenberg

We hooked ourselves to the withe and made lively tracks to the shanty, where we could talk and laugh of the day's hunt.

From Project Gutenberg