Withe
/wɪð/noun
A flexible twig, branch, or band used for binding or tying things together.
Did you know?Withe comes from an old Germanic root meaning “to bind” or “to twist,” the same deep root behind words for twisting and winding, which is why it feels so physically ancient.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*weidʰ-
“to bind, tie, or weave”
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*withiz
“twig, flexible branch, binding rod”
Old English
OE
wiðig
“willow; flexible twig used for binding”
Middle English
ME
withe
“a pliant twig or osier used as a tie”
Modern English
English
withe
“a flexible twig or band used for binding”