Birch
any tree or shrub of the genus Betula, comprising species with a smooth, laminated outer bark and close-grained wood.
Compare birch family.
the wood itself.
a birch rod, or a bundle of birch twigs, used especially for whipping.
birchen.
to beat or punish with or as if with a birch:
The young ruffians were birched soundly by their teacher.
Contemporary Examples
The Evolution of the ‘New World Order’ Lizzie Crocker November 4, 2013
The Wildest Hangover Cures From Around the World Nina Strochlic November 28, 2013
Wood Cards Are a Green Alternative to the Classic Plastic Gift Card Daniel Gross November 28, 2013
Karin Slaughter’s Pajamas: How I Write Noah Charney June 25, 2012
Joshua Compston Was Once the Wunderkind of the British Art World…and Now He’s Been Practically Forgotten Anthony Haden-Guest January 16, 2014
Historical Examples
Canadian Fairy Tales Cyrus Macmillan
Explorations in Australia John Forrest
Lachesis Lapponica Carl von Linn
The Story of the Malakand Field Force Sir Winston S. Churchill
Cooley’s Practical Receipts, Volume II Arnold Cooley
noun
any betulaceous tree or shrub of the genus Betula, having thin peeling bark See also silver birch
the hard close-grained wood of any of these trees
the birch, a bundle of birch twigs or a birch rod used, esp formerly, for flogging offenders
adjective
of, relating to, or belonging to the birch
consisting or made of birch
verb
(transitive) to flog with a birch
n.
Read Also:
- Birch-beer
a carbonated or fermented drink containing an extract from the bark of the birch tree.
- Birch-family
the plant family Betulaceae, characterized by deciduous trees having simple serrate leaves, male flowers in drooping catkins, female flowers in short clusters, and one-seeded nuts, and including the alder, birch, hazel, and hornbeam.
- Birch-partridge
ruffed grouse. Historical Examples A Book-Lover’s Holidays in the Open Theodore Roosevelt
- Birch-tar-oil
birch tar oil
- Birchbark-biting
noun a Native Canadian craft in which designs are bitten onto bark from birch trees