willow
noun (a willow, willows; willow, uncountable for the wood)
Everyday
- A willow is a tree with long, thin, bendy branches and narrow leaves, often growing near water. tree →
- Willow is the wood of this tree, used to make cricket bats and baskets. tree →
In the lessons
In science and nature lessons, willows grow by rivers and ponds; weeping willows have branches that hang down to the water. Willow bark contains a natural substance once used to ease pain. Cricket bats are made of willow. In stories, willow trees appear by riverbanks («The Wind in the Willows»). Phrases: «weeping willow», «pussy willow», «willow basket».
Examples
- A weeping willow hung over the pond. tree →
- Cricket bats are made from willow. tree →
- We made a basket from willow sticks. tree →
- Willows like wet ground near rivers. tree →
- The willow's long branches swayed in the wind. tree →
- Pussy willow has soft, furry buds. tree →
- The long willow-leaves were quite yellow. tree →
Note
Countable for trees («three willows»), uncountable for the wood («made of willow»). Double l. Adjective «willowy» means tall, thin and graceful.
In Jewish tradition
One of the "four species" taken on Sukkot, the branches of the brook.
Interpretation. The willow (aravah) is waved with the palm, myrtle and citron, and tradition says the four stand for different kinds of people joined together.
Examples
- And ye shall take you on the first day the fruit of goodly trees, branches of palm-trees, and boughs of thick trees, and willows of the brook, and ye shall rejoice before the LORD your God seven days. (Torah LEV.23.40, JPS 1917) tree →
- Upon the willows in the midst thereof we hanged up our harps. (Writings PSA.137.2, JPS 1917) tree →
- And they shall spring up among the grass, as willows by the watercourses. (Prophets ISA.44.4, JPS 1917) tree →
- The lotus-trees cover him with their shadow; the willows of the brook compass him about. (Writings JOB.40.22, JPS 1917) tree →
Note
Countable for trees («three willows»), uncountable for the wood («made of willow»). Double l. Adjective «willowy» means tall, thin and graceful.
On Mova
- Trees and pragmatics of «willow» in the school dictionary: every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- «willow» in the school dictionary on Mova free.
- Trees and pragmatics of «willow» in the Judaism dictionary: every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- «willow» in the Judaism dictionary on Mova free.
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