willow

wil·low

Use willow in a sentence

A beautiful willow by a pond.

adjective

The definition of willow is the tree with narrow leaves and flexible limbs in the genus Salix.
An example of willow used as an adjective is in the phrase "willow tree."

noun

A willow is defined as a tree with narrow leaves and flexible limbs in the genus Salix.
An example of a willow is a tree with flexible twigs that are used to weave baskets.

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MLA Style

"willow." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 09 December 2018. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/Willow>.

APA Style

willow. (n.d.). Retrieved December 09th, 2018, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/Willow

willow

1. any of a genus (Salix) of trees and shrubs of the willow family, having usually narrow leaves, single, slipper-shaped bud scales, and staminate and pistillate catkins borne on separate plants: the flexible twigs of certain species are used in weaving baskets, chair seats, etc.
2. the wood of any of these trees
a machine with revolving spikes for cleaning raw wool, cotton, etc.
Origin of willow
because orig. made of willow wood
Informal a baseball bat or cricket bat

Origin of willow

Middle English wilwe from Old English welig, akin to Dutch wilg from Indo-European base an unverified form wel-, to turn, twist, bend from source Classical Greek helix, spiral, helik?, willow

designating a family (Salicaceae, order Salicales) of dicotyledonous trees and shrubs including poplars

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Link to this page

Cite this page

MLA Style

"willow." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 09 December 2018. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/Willow>.

APA Style

willow. (n.d.). Retrieved December 09th, 2018, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/Willow

willow

noun

a. Any of various deciduous trees or shrubs of the genus Salix, having usually narrow leaves, unisexual flowers borne in catkins, and strong lightweight wood.
b. The wood of any of these trees.
Something, such as a cricket bat, that is made from willow.
A textile machine consisting of a spiked drum revolving inside a chamber fitted internally with spikes, used to open and clean unprocessed cotton or wool.

transitive verb

wil·lowed, wil·low·ing, wil·lows

To open and clean (textile fibers) with a willow.

Origin of willow

Middle English wilowe from Old English welig ; see wel-² in Indo-European roots.

THE AMERICAN HERITAGE® DICTIONARY OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE, FIFTH EDITION by the Editors of the American Heritage Dictionaries. Copyright © 2016, 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.