pussy willow
1
4.2
- noun
- /ˈpʌsi ˈwɪloʊ/
:
sauce de gato
- In spring, the fluffy catkins of the pussy willow emerge before the leaves, creating a beautiful sight.
- pussy willow branch
- pussy willows are out
Examples
-
The pussy willows bloomed.
Fiction book (2002) -
Wonderful close-up photography of the life cycle of the pussy willow through the seasons.
Academic text (2001) -
Near the creek, the black clay banks were covered with pussy willows and reeds.
Fiction book (1992) -
Pussy-willow branches stuck from a tall red-and-black Chinese vase.
Fiction book (1999) -
The low and shrubby prairie pussy willow is scattered throughout the prairie, while in one area at the edge is a huge stand of the yellow, sunflower-like southern prairie dock, one of Tennessee's threatened species.
Academic text (1997) -
The florist arranged a bouquet with pussy willows, adding a touch of softness to the design.
-
During our nature walk, we spotted several pussy willows growing along the riverbank, their catkins swaying in the breeze.
Synonyms
A willow tree with broad leaves and soft fuzzy flowers in spring
A willow tree with many branches, broad leaves, and soft silvery flower clusters that grows in Europe and Asia
A small North American willow with grey leaves and soft furry catkins that appear before the leaves
A tree with many branches and long flower clusters used in flower arrangements
Surface Forms
Morphology
pussy + willow
The noun 'willow' is transparent, and the compound refers to willow catkins that look soft and furry — a meaning that can be guessed if a learner knows 'pussy' in the older sense of 'kitten' / 'soft, furry thing'. However, this is a metaphorical naming and the relevant sense of 'pussy' is not given here and can be confused with slang, so the connection is only partially predictable without cultural/lexical knowledge.
Etymology
Pussy willow comes from the soft, furry buds that grow on willow branches in early spring. People thought the buds looked like a kitten's fur, so they used pussy, meaning 'cat', with willow, and today the name refers to the willow with those fuzzy buds.