withy
9.9
A strong flexible willow twig used for tying and weaving
- noun
- /ˈwɪði/
- Archaic
:
sarmiento
- The gardener used flexible withies from the willow tree to tie the young plants together.
Examples
-
The housing was made of upright poles planted in circles, with flexible twigs and withies woven between them basket fashion and plastered with mud.
Fiction book (1990) -
The basketmaker selected several strong withies to create a sturdy yet flexible design.
-
Using thin withies, she expertly wove a beautiful basket that would last for years.
Synonyms
9.9
A strong, flexible twig or a bundle of twisted twigs used for tying and making baskets
is the plain flexible twig rather than the twisted or braided band
9.9
A small thin shoot from a tree or plant branch
is a stronger more flexible twig used for basketry and tying
How Flexible
Surface Forms
Etymology
Withy comes from an old English word wiþig meaning 'bendy' and was used for willow twigs you could tie or weave. So a withy is a strong, flexible twig used to bind things or make baskets.