Osier
Osier , noun
[French osier: compare Prov. French oisis, Armor. ozil, aozil, Greek {not transcribed}, {not transcribed}, {not transcribed}, Latin vitex, and English withy.]
(a)
(Botany) 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)
(Botany) One of the long, pliable twigs of this plant, or of other similar plants.
The rank of osiers by the murmuring stream.
Collocations (2)
Osier bed or Osier holt , a place where willows are grown for basket making. [English]
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.
Osier , adjective
Made of osiers; composed of, or containing, osiers.
This osier cage of ours.