wit-hiest

noun

a willow.

a pliable branch or twig, especially a withe.

a band, loop, halter, or rope of slender twigs; widdy.

adjective

made of pliable branches or twigs, especially of withes.

flexible; pliable.

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Wit-hiest is always a great word to know.

So is flibbertigibbet. Does it mean:

a gadget; dingus; thingumbob.

a chattering or flighty, light-headed person.

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Origin:
before 1000; Middle English; Old English wīthig; akin to withe, Old Norse vīthir, Old High German wīda, Greek ītéa willow, Latin vītis vine

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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Collins

World English Dictionary

withy (ˈwɪðɪ)

—n , pl withies
1.	withe a variant spelling of withe
2.	a willow tree, esp an osier

—*adj*
3.	(of people) tough and agile
4.	rare resembling a withe in strength or flexibility

[Old English wīdig(e); related to Old Norse vīthir, Old High German wīda, Latin vītis vine, Sanskrit vītika fetter. See withe, wire]

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Etymonline

Word Origin & History

withy

O.E. wiðig "willow, willow twig," from P.Gmc. *withjon- "willow" (cf. O.N. viðir, Dan. vidje, O.H.G. wida, Ger. Weide "willow"), from PIE *wei-ti-, suffixed form of base *wei- "to bend, twist" (cf. Avestan vaeiti- "osier," Gk. itea "willow," L. vitis "vine," Lith. vytis "willow twig," Pol. witwa,

Welsh gwden "willow," Rus. vitvina "branch, bough").

Matching Quote

"Wit is a lean creature with sharp inquiring nose, whereas humor has a kindly eye and a comfortable girth. Wit, if it be necessary, uses malice to score a point—like a cat it is quick to jump—but humor keeps the peace in an easy chair. Wit has a better voice in a solo, but humor comes into the chorus best. Wit is as sharp as a stroke of lightning, whereas humor is diffuse like sunlight. Wit keeps the season's fashions and is precise in the phrases and judgments of the day, but humor is concerned with homely eternal things. Wit wears silk, but humor in homely-spun endures the wind. Wit sets a snare, whereas humor goes off whistling without a victim in its mind. Wit is sharper company at the table, but humor serves better in mischance and in the rain. When it tumbles wit is sour, but humor goes uncomplaining without its dinner. Humor laughs at another's jest and holds its sides, while wit sits wrapped in study for a lively answer."

-Charles S. Brooks

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wit-hiest

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