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

And what's the ivy but Clan Gordon, and the peeled withy but hurry, and—surely that will be doing for the reading of a very simple tale.

From John Splendid The Tale of a Poor Gentleman, and the Little Wars of Lorn by Munro, Neil

A wastle is a North country term for a twig or withy, possibly connected with A. S. wædl.

From Popular Rhymes and Nursery Tales A Sequel to the Nursery Rhymes of England by Halliwell-Phillipps, J. O. (James Orchard)

The osier-bed in the angle where the brooks join is on slightly higher ground, for although the withy likes water at its roots it should not stand in it.

From Wild Life in a Southern County by Jefferies, Richard

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

But the keepers hated Owlet poking about, because they said he took more than withies from the osier beds.

From The Torch and Other Tales by Phillpotts, Eden

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

There were some swans lying among the withies and rushes.

From Littlebourne Lock by Harrison, F. Bayford