birch

[ burch ]

noun

1. any tree or shrub of the genus Betula, comprising species with a smooth, laminated outer bark and close-grained wood. Compare birch family.
2. the wood itself.
3. a birch rod, or a bundle of birch twigs, used especially for whipping.

adjective

1. birchen.

verb (used with object)

1. to beat or punish with or as if with a birch:

   The young ruffians were birched soundly by their teacher.

birch

/ bɜːtʃ /

noun

1. any betulaceous tree or shrub of the genus Betula, having thin peeling bark See also silver birch
2. the hard close-grained wood of any of these trees
3. the birch
   a bundle of birch twigs or a birch rod used, esp formerly, for flogging offenders

adjective

1. of, relating to, or belonging to the birch
2. consisting or made of birch

verb

1. tr to flog with a birch

Derived Forms

• ˈbirchen, adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of birch¹

before 900; Middle English birche, Old English birce; cognate with Old High German birka ( German Birke ); akin to Sanskrit bhūrja kind of birch

Word History and Origins

Origin of birch¹

Old English bierce ; related to Old High German birihha , Sanskrit bhūrja

Example Sentences

Caroline Leafe, 70, was walking in Ashdown Forest with her husband Kenneth and their dog on 25 January last year, when the pair were hit by a silver birch as it was being felled.

From BBC

Experts say these rainforests are a unique habitat of ancient oak, birch and pine and can help with flood prevention and support biodiversity.

From BBC

These could include English oak, beech, silver birch and holly trees, which they say could be vulnerable to warmer temperatures and longer dry spells.

From BBC

The researchers looked at how long enveloped and nonenveloped viruses remained infectious on the surface of six types of wood: Scots pine, silver birch, gray alder, eucalyptus, pedunculate oak and Norway spruce.

From Science Daily

Old growth forests of sugar maple, birch and hemlock towered over our tents, cushioned our trails with pine needles and scented our days.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• bar
• bat
• baton
• cane
• club
• rod
• slab
• stalk
• strip
• wand
• wedge