withy

American  

[with-ee, with-ee] / ˈwɪð i, ˈwɪθ i /

noun

plural

withies

1. a willow.

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

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

---

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

---

adjective

1. (of people) tough and agile

2. rare resembling a withe in strength or flexibility

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

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

A typical one is "The Currach Race"�a currach being the paper-thin, skin and withy rowboat in which Galway fishermen put out into the Atlantic.

From Time Magazine Archive

O the withy shall be the very first tree That perishes at the heart.’”

From Christmas in Ritual and Tradition, Christian and Pagan by Miles, Clement A.

That Georgian's cue, it, Compared with your sceptre, is just a mere withy.

From Punch, or the London Charivari, Volume 101, November 28, 1891 by Various