from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Birch \Birch\ (b[~e]rch), n.; pl. {Birches} (-[e^]z). [OE.
birche, birk, AS. birce, beorc; akin to Icel. bj["o]rk, Sw.
bj["o]rk, Dan. birk, D. berk, OHG. piricha, MHG. birche,
birke, G. birke, Russ. bereza, Pol. brzoza, Serv. breza, Skr.
bh[=u]rja. [root]254. Cf. 1st {Birk}.]
1. A tree of several species, constituting the genus
{Betula}; as, the white or common birch ({Betula alba})
(also called silver birch and lady birch); the dwarf birch
({Betula glandulosa}); the paper or canoe birch ({Betula
papyracea}); the yellow birch ({Betula lutea}); the black
or cherry birch ({Betula lenta}).
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2. The wood or timber of the birch.
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3. A birch twig or birch twigs, used for flogging.
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Note: The twigs of the common European birch (B. alba), being
tough and slender, were formerly much used for rods in
schools. They were also made into brooms.
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The threatening twigs of birch. --Shak.
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4. A birch-bark canoe.
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{Birch of Jamaica}, a species ({Bursera gummifera}) of
turpentine tree.
{Birch partridge}. (Zool.) See {Ruffed grouse}.
{Birch wine}, wine made of the spring sap of the birch.
{Oil of birch}.
(a) An oil obtained from the bark of the common European
birch ({Betula alba}), and used in the preparation of
genuine (and sometimes of the imitation) Russia
leather, to which it gives its peculiar odor.
(b) An oil prepared from the black birch ({Betula lenta}),
said to be identical with the oil of wintergreen, for
which it is largely sold.
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