osier

3 definitions found

osier - 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]

  Osier \O"sier\, a.
     Made of osiers; composed of, or containing, osiers. "This
     osier cage of ours." --Shak.
     [1913 Webster]

osier - WordNet (r) 2.1 (2005) :

  osier
      n 1: flexible twig of a willow tree
      2: any of various willows having pliable twigs used in basketry
         and furniture