birch

[ burch ]
/ bɜrtʃ /

noun

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.

adjective

verb (used with object)

to beat or punish with or as if with a birch: The young ruffians were birched soundly by their teacher.

Origin of birch

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

Example sentences from the Web for birch

British Dictionary definitions for birch

birch
/ (bɜːtʃ) /

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

(tr) to flog with a birch

Derived forms of birch

birchen, adjective

Word Origin for birch

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