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Glite Dictionary
witch broom

witch broom

9.9
A dense cluster of twigs growing from one point on a tree
  • noun
  • /wɪtʃ bruːm/
  • Specialized
translation icon : escoba de bruja
  • The old elm in the garden developed a large witch broom after an outbreak of fungus.

Examples

  • Certain insects are known to cause witch broom formations on fruit trees.

  • Gardeners prune away any witch brooms to prevent further damage to the tree.

  • The tree had a strange witch broom growing on its branches.

  • I found several witch brooms in the old oak tree.

  • Gardeners often remove witch broom from trees to maintain their health and appearance.

  • The arborist explained that a witch broom can indicate stress in a shrub caused by pests.

  • After the storm, we noticed a large witch broom on the maple tree in our backyard.

Synonyms

hexenbesen
vswitch broom
  • Specialized
9.9

A thick cluster of small branches that grows from one spot on a tree, often after fungus or insect damage

is worded using twigs or branches and general cause wording
witches' broom
vswitch broom
  • Specialized
9.9

A dense cluster of small branches on a tree caused by disease or insects

is described using twigs or branches rather than shoots
staghead
vswitch broom
  • Specialized
9.9

A tuft of small dead branches on a tree caused by disease or insect attack

is a dense cluster that grows from one point rather than a loose tuft

Surface Forms

witch broom singular
witch brooms plural

Morphology

witch + broom

The sense 'an abnormal dense cluster of twigs or branches' is a specialized botanical term and is not compositionally derivable from the literal constituents 'witch' (supernatural woman) and 'broom' (either a cleaning tool or a shrub). The folkloric/metaphorical association with witches riding brooms and the technical nature of the phenomenon make the meaning unpredictable for a B1 learner who only knows the constituent words, so it is opaque.

Etymology

Witch broom comes from the sight of a tight bunch of twigs or small branches growing from one spot on a tree, because it looks like a little broom a witch might carry. That's why gardeners call that dense, broom-like growth a 'witch broom'.