twig

¹

[ twig ]

noun

1. a slender shoot of a tree or other plant.
2. a small offshoot from a branch or stem.
3. a small, dry, woody piece fallen from a branch:

   a fire of twigs.

4. Anatomy. one of the minute branches of a blood vessel or nerve.

twig

²

[ twig ]

verb (used with object)

, twigged, twig·ging.

1. to look at; observe:

   Now, twig the man climbing there, will you?

2. to see; perceive:

   Do you twig the difference in colors?

3. to understand.

verb (used without object)

, twigged, twig·ging.

1. to understand.

twig

³

[ twig ]

noun

, British Archaic.

1. style; fashion.

twig

¹

/ twɪɡ /

verb

1. to understand (something)
2. to find out or suddenly comprehend (something)

   he hasn't twigged yet

3. rare.
   tr to perceive (something)

twig

²

/ twɪɡ /

noun

1. any small branch or shoot of a tree or other woody plant
2. something resembling this, esp a minute branch of a blood vessel

Derived Forms

• ˈtwigˌlike, adjective

Other Words From

• twigless adjective
• twiglike adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of twig¹

First recorded before 950; Middle English twig, twig(g)e; Old English twig, twigge, twī originally “(something) divided in two”; akin to Old High German zwīg ( German Zweig ), Dutch twijg; compare Sanskrit dvikás “double”; twi- ( def )

Origin of twig²

First recorded in 1760–70; of uncertain origin; perhaps from Irish tuigim “I understand”

Origin of twig³

First recorded in 1805–15; origin uncertain

Word History and Origins

Origin of twig¹

C18: perhaps from Gaelic tuig I understand

Origin of twig²

Old English twigge ; related to Old Norse dvika consisting of two, Old High German zwīg twig, Old Danish tvige fork

Example Sentences

It was his unifying work that pruned all these twigs of knowledge into a single coherent and lovely tree — one that’s borne fruit for generations of scientists, mathematicians and engineers.

From Quanta Magazine

The Solo Stove Lite Stove is a stainless steel contraption that pulls in air through the holes in its base to help the sticks and twigs inside combust.

From Popular-Science

Two of my neighbors use those blowers that blow leaves and debris out into the street, but unfortunately they don't bag the leaves and twigs.

From Washington Post

These insects, however, belong on a nearby — but different — twig of the insect evolutionary tree.

From Science News For Students

These ethanol-susceptible twigs sprout quite different animals.

From Science News For Students

Not even the tiniest twig from a tree falls unnoticed in this media forest.

From The Daily Beast

Suddenly, we hear the sound of a twig cracking; all three men look around anxiously, particularly JASON.

From The Daily Beast

To drop on one knee and level his piece was the work of an instant, but unfortunately he snapped a dry twig in doing so.

From Project Gutenberg

He clutches at a sharp point of rock here, or a twig there; but if it is not as safe as he believed, woe unto him!

From Project Gutenberg

There was a quiet, cynical smile on his face as he sat there beating a tattoo on his leggings with a hickory twig.

From Project Gutenberg

Burn the male olive-branch and the pine twig and juniper, and let the blazing laurel crackle amid the hearth.

From Project Gutenberg

Not a twig broke as they crept up the side of the deep ravine and looked out at the herd.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• limb
• sprig