/berrch/ , n.
1. any tree or shrub of the genus Betula, comprising species with a smooth, laminated outer bark and close-grained wood. Cf. birch family .
2. the wood itself.
3. a birch rod, or a bundle of birch twigs, used esp. for whipping.
adj.
4. birchen.
v.t.
5. to beat or punish with or as if with a birch: The young ruffians were birched soundly by their teacher.
[ bef. 900; ME birche, OE birce; c. OHG birka (G Birke ); akin to Skt bhurja kind of birch ]