— willowlike , adj. — willowish , adj.
/wil"oh/ , n.
1. any tree or shrub of the genus Salix, characterized by narrow, lance-shaped leaves and dense catkins bearing small flowers, many species having tough, pliable twigs or branches used for wickerwork, etc. Cf. willow family .
2. the wood of any of these trees.
3. Informal. something, esp. a cricket bat, made of willow wood.
4. Also called willower, willy . a machine consisting essentially of a cylinder armed with spikes revolving within a spiked casing, for opening and cleaning cotton or other fiber.
v.t.
5. to treat (textile fibers) with a willow.
[ bef. 900; ME wilwe, var. of wilghe, OE welig; c. OS wilgia, D wilg, LG wilge ]