(Bot.) The osier willow (Salix
viminalis). See Osier,
n. (a) . [1913 Webster]
A withe. See Withe,
[1913 Webster]
Withy \With"y\, a. Made of withes; like a withe;
flexible and tough; also, abounding in withes. [1913 Webster] The
stream is brimful now, and lies high in this little withy
plantation. --G. Eliot. [1913 Webster]
Word Net
withy n : strong flexible twig [syn: withe]English
Pronunciation
- /ˈwɪði/, /ˈwɪθi/
Noun
Synonyms
Translations
The osier willow
a long, flexible twig of the osier willow
Withy is the name given to strong flexible
willow stems that are
typically used in thatching and for gardening.
An advantage of using this type of material is said to be a greater
resistance to woodworm.
Several species and hybrid cultivars of willows are grown
for withy production; typical species include Salix
acutifolia, Salix
daphnoides, Salix
× mollissima, Salix
purpurea, Salix
triandra, and Salix
viminalis.
The term is also sometimes used to describe any
type of flexible rod used in rural crafts
such as hazel or ash.
Places such as Wythenshawe and
Withy Grove in Manchester take
their names from the willow woods and groves that grew there in
earlier times. The Somerset
Levels is now the only area in the UK where basket willow is
grown commercially.