from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Osier \O"sier\, n. [F. osier: cf. {Prov}. F. oisis, Armor. ozil,
aozil, Gr. ?, ?, ?, L. vitex, and E. withy.] (Bot.)
(a) A kind of willow ({Salix viminalis}) growing in wet
places in Europe and Asia, and introduced into North
America. It is considered the best of the willows for
basket work. The name is sometimes given to any kind
of willow.
(b) One of the long, pliable twigs of this plant, or of
other similar plants.
[1913 Webster]
The rank of osiers by the murmuring stream.
--Shak.
[1913 Webster]
{Osier bed}, or {Osier holt}, a place where willows are grown
for basket making. [Eng.]
{Red osier}.
(a) A kind of willow with reddish twigs ({Salix rubra}).
(b) An American shrub ({Cornus stolonifera}) which has
slender red branches; -- also called {osier cornel}.
[1913 Webster]
from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Withy \With"y\, n.; pl. {Withies}. [OE. withe, wipi, AS.
w[imac]?ig a willow, willow twig; akin to G. weide willow,
OHG. w[imac]da, Icel. v[imac]?ja, a withy, Sw. vide a willow
twig, Dan. vidie a willow, osier, Gr. ?, and probably to L.
vitis a vine, viere to plait, Russ. vite. [root]141. Cf.
{Wine}, {Withe}.]
[1913 Webster]
1. (Bot.) The osier willow ({Salix viminalis}). See {Osier},
n.
(a) .
[1913 Webster]
2. A withe. See {Withe}, 1.
[1913 Webster]