witch hazel

  1. any of a genus (Hamamelis) of small North American and Asiatic trees and shrubs of the witch hazel family; esp., a tall shrub (H. virginiana) of E North America, having yellow, wavy-petaled flowers in late autumn and woody fruit
  2. a lotion consisting of an alcoholic solution of an extract from the leaves and bark of this shrub, used on bruises, inflammations, etc.
  3. designating a family (Hamamelidaceae, order Hamamelidales) of dicotyledonous trees and shrubs of temperate regions, having flowers in heads or spikes, including the liquidambars

Origin: altered (infl. by witch) < wyche hazel < ME wyche < OE wice, applied to trees with pliant branches, akin to ON veikr, weak

See witch hazel in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun
  1. Any of several deciduous shrubs or small trees of the genus Hamamelis, especially H. virginiana, of eastern North America, having yellow flowers that bloom in late autumn or winter.
  2. An alcoholic solution containing an extract of the bark and leaves of this plant, applied externally as a mild astringent.

Origin:

Origin: Alteration of obsolete wych, wych elm; see wych elm

Origin: + hazel

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