withy

American  

[with-ee, with-ee] / ˈwɪð i, ˈwɪθ i /

noun

withies plural

1. a willow.

2. a pliable branch or twig, especially a withe.

3. a band, loop, halter, or rope of slender twigs; widdy.

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adjective

withier, withiest

1. made of pliable branches or twigs, especially of withes.

2. flexible; pliable.

withy British  

/ ˈwɪðɪ /

noun

1. a variant spelling of withe withe

2. a willow tree, esp an osier

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adjective

1. (of people) tough and agile

2. rare resembling a withe in strength or flexibility

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• withies
  plural

Etymology

Origin of withy

before 1000; Middle English; Old English wīthig; akin to withe, Old Norse vīthir, Old High German wīda, Greek ītéa willow, Latin vītis vine

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

withy withies

The HCA estimates the number of professional withy pot-makers is now in single figures and those who remain use it as a sideline to their main income.

From BBC ● Aug. 31, 2020

“Seismicity is a feature of mining in the region and deep-level mining layouts and support systems have been designed specifically to cope withy seismicity,” Neal Froneman said in a presentation to investors.

From Reuters ● Jun. 7, 2018

In the lake there are several acres of withy bushes which when the water is low are on dry land, but in spring and early summer stand five or six feet deep.

From Wild Life in a Southern County by Jefferies, Richard

Birds began to twitter and chirp in the trees and bushes that overhung the rocks below, while the winds of dawn fluted in the small withy bed beside the bridge.

From The Passionate Elopement by MacKenzie, Compton

The name Vine comes from viere, to twist, being applied with reference to the twining habits of the parent stock; as likewise to "with," and "withy."

From Herbal Simples Approved for Modern Uses of Cure by Fernie, William Thomas

The sculptures were woven from willow withies at Martin’s workshop in Devon, where he created the work in sections.

From BBC ● Jun. 30, 2023

Finally, we came upon this man's workshop, and the withies were fabulous.

From Time Magazine Archive

There were some swans lying among the withies and rushes.

From Littlebourne Lock by Harrison, F. Bayford

He fastened sets of three rams together with twisted withies, and bound a man to each ram in the middle, so that the blind giant's hands would only feel the two outside rams.

From Tales of Troy and Greece by Lang, Andrew

With this he turned upon his heel, and marching sturdily down the path and across the little bridge, disappeared behind the withies and pollards.

From Bulldog And Butterfly From "Schwartz" by David Christie Murray by Murray, David Christie