I. ˈwithē, -thē noun
( -es )
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English wīthig; akin to Old English withthe withe, Old High German wīda willow, Old Norse vīthr willow, vith withy, Gothic kuna wida chain, Latin vitis vine, vitex chaste tree, Greek oisos chaste tree, itea willow, in-, is tendon, sinew, muscle, Old Slavic viti to turn, wind, Latin viēre to twist together, plait — more at wire
1. : willow ; especially : osier 1
2.
a. : a flexible slender twig or branch (as of osier) ; especially : one used for binding
b. : a loop or hoop formed with a withy
II. ˈwithē also -ithē or -īthē, dial ˈhwithē adjective
( -er/-est )
Etymology: withe (I) + -y
: like a withy : flexible and tough ; specifically : agile , wiry
as withy as a rattlesnake — W.R.Waterman