I. ˈwi(ˌ)lō, -_lə; -_ləw or -_lō+V noun
( -s )
Usage: often attributive
Etymology: Middle English wilghe, welew, wilowe, from Old English welig; akin to Middle Dutch, Middle Low German, & Middle High German wilge willow, Greek helikē, and perhaps to Greek helissein to wind — more at helenium
1.
a. : a tree or shrub of the genus Salix many of which are of economic importance as sources of wood, osiers, or bark useful for tanning and a few of which (as the white willow and weeping willow) are ornamental shade trees
b. : any of several other plants more or less like a willow — compare desert willow , wilga , willow herb
2. : something derived from a willow tree: as
a. : osier 2
b. : a sprig or garland of willow (as of weeping willow) worn as a symbol of lost love
twenty years time, when you're wearing the willow , you'll be sorry you went about outgrowing everybody in such a hurry — Margaret Kennedy
c. : an object made of willow wood ; especially : cricket bat
3.
[alteration of willy (I) ]
a. : a textile machine in which cotton or wool is opened and cleaned by a spiked drum revolving in a box studded internally with spikes — called also willower, willy
b. : duster 1b
II. transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
1. : to open and clean (textile fibers) with a willow
2. : to put (raw material for making paper pulp) through a duster