English

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Etymology

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From withe +‎ -y.

Pronunciation

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Adjective

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withy (comparative withier, superlative withiest)

  1. (archaic) Flexible, like a withe.
    • 1693, “Of the Embrasures or Merlons”, in Abel Swall, transl., The New Method of Fortification, as Practised by Monsieur de Vauban, Engineer General of France. [], 2nd edition, London: [] Abell Swall;  [], →OCLC, book IV, page 75:
      The Merlons, to the end that they may be good, ought to be made of Earth, the most eaſie to be tempered that may be: And this Earth ought alſo to be mixed with Withy Twigs, or Brambles, provided they take Root, after which they are to be lined with good Turff.
    • 2018, Madeline Miller, Circe, Little, Brown and Company, page 285:
      I would work at my spells from dawn until dusk, dig up roots and forget to eat, harvest the withy stems and weave baskets till they piled to the ceiling.

Synonyms

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Noun

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withy (plural withies)

  1. An osier (Salix viminalis), a type of willow.
  2. A long flexible twig of the osier; a withe.

Synonyms

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Translations

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Anagrams

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  NODES
eth 1
see 2