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View synonyms for twig

twig

1

[ twig ]

noun

  1. a slender shoot of a tree or other plant.
  2. a small offshoot from a branch or stem.
  3. a small, dry, woody piece fallen from a branch:

    a fire of twigs.

  4. Anatomy. one of the minute branches of a blood vessel or nerve.


twig

2

[ twig ]

verb (used with object)

, twigged, twig·ging.
  1. to look at; observe:

    Now, twig the man climbing there, will you?

  2. to see; perceive:

    Do you twig the difference in colors?

  3. to understand.

verb (used without object)

, twigged, twig·ging.
  1. to understand.

twig

3

[ twig ]

noun

, British Archaic.
  1. style; fashion.

twig

1

/ twɪɡ /

noun

  1. any small branch or shoot of a tree or other woody plant
  2. something resembling this, esp a minute branch of a blood vessel


twig

2

/ twɪɡ /

verb

  1. to understand (something)
  2. to find out or suddenly comprehend (something)

    he hasn't twigged yet

  3. rare.
    tr to perceive (something)

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Derived Forms

  • ˈtwigˌlike, adjective

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Other Words From

  • twigless adjective
  • twiglike adjective

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Word History and Origins

Origin of twig1

First recorded before 950; Middle English twig, twig(g)e; Old English twig, twigge, twī originally “(something) divided in two”; akin to Old High German zwīg ( German Zweig ), Dutch twijg; compare Sanskrit dvikás “double”; twi- ( def )

Origin of twig2

First recorded in 1760–70; of uncertain origin; perhaps from Irish tuigim “I understand”

Origin of twig3

First recorded in 1805–15; origin uncertain

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Word History and Origins

Origin of twig1

Old English twigge ; related to Old Norse dvika consisting of two, Old High German zwīg twig, Old Danish tvige fork

Origin of twig2

C18: perhaps from Gaelic tuig I understand

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Example Sentences

Not even the tiniest twig from a tree falls unnoticed in this media forest.

Suddenly, we hear the sound of a twig cracking; all three men look around anxiously, particularly JASON.

To drop on one knee and level his piece was the work of an instant, but unfortunately he snapped a dry twig in doing so.

He clutches at a sharp point of rock here, or a twig there; but if it is not as safe as he believed, woe unto him!

There was a quiet, cynical smile on his face as he sat there beating a tattoo on his leggings with a hickory twig.

Burn the male olive-branch and the pine twig and juniper, and let the blazing laurel crackle amid the hearth.

Not a twig broke as they crept up the side of the deep ravine and looked out at the herd.

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twiddle one's thumbstwig blight