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Glite Dictionary
witches' broom

witches' broom

9.9
A dense cluster of small branches on a tree caused by disease or insects
  • noun
  • /ˈwɪtʃɪz bruːm/
  • Specialized
translation icon : escoba de bruja
  • Gardeners are concerned when they spot witches' broom on their ornamental shrubs.

Examples

  • Look at that witches' broom!

  • The ash tree developed a noticeable witches' broom after a fungal infection.

  • A severe case of witches' broom can affect the overall health of the plant.

  • The witches' broom on that tree looks unusual.

  • The tree had a witches' broom, making it look unusual with dense clusters of twisted branches.

  • Gardeners often notice witches' brooms on shrubs, which can be harmful if left untreated.

  • After a storm, we found a witches' broom on the oak tree in our backyard, indicating a possible infection.

Synonyms

witch broom
vswitches' broom
  • Specialized
9.9

A dense cluster of twigs growing from one point on a tree

is identical in meaning but written without the possessive plural form
hexenbesen
vswitches' 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 the common general term while this is a named variant for the same growth
staghead
vswitches' broom
  • Specialized
9.9

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

is a dense cluster arising from a single point rather than a loose tuft

Surface Forms

witches' broom singular
witches' brooms plural

Morphology

witches' + broom

The phrase evokes a metaphorical image (a cluster of twigs resembling a broom), so a learner who knows 'witch' and 'broom' could partly infer it refers to a broom‑like growth. However the specific botanical sense—an abnormal dense cluster of shoots caused by fungi or insects—is technical and not fully predictable from the constituents (and 'broom' also has a distinct shrub sense), making the expression only partially transparent.

Etymology

Witches' broom comes from a simple image: a tight bundle of small branches that looks like a broom. One popular story says people thought these odd clumps were made by witches, so the name stuck and now it means 'a dense cluster of shoots' on a tree.