osier

Meaning

Noun

  • A kind of willow, Salix viminalis (species), growing in wet places in Europe and Asia, and introduced into North America. It is considered the best of the willows for wickerwork (basketweaving with wicker). The name is sometimes given to any kind of willow.
  • One of the long, pliable twigs of this plant, or of other similar plants.

Origin

  • Borrowed from French osier ("basket willow, withy"), from Old French osier, hosier, hosyere (compare Medieval Latin auseria ("willow-bed")), from Frankish *halster (compare Low German Halster, Hilster).
  • Alternatively from Medieval Latin auseria ("willow-bed"), from Gaulish *awesā ("riverbed") (compare Breton aoz ("riverbed")), from Proto-Celtic *auos, which could also be present in the French place name Avoise.

Modern English dictionary

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