birch

n. a type of tree with thin branches and bark that often looks like paper and peels off.

n. any tree of the genus Betula, characterized by smooth, often white or silvery papery bark and slender branches.

“The white bark of the birch trees stood out against the dark green pines.”

“The silver birch is a pioneer species, often being among the first trees to colonize open land or cleared forest areas.”

n. the hard, pale wood from a birch tree, often used to make furniture or plywood.

n. the fine-grained, pale-coloured timber obtained from birch trees, valued for its strength and versatility in cabinetry.

“The modern desk was made from light birch wood.”

“Birch plywood is frequently specified by architects for its structural integrity and the aesthetic appeal of its uniform grain.”

n. a bundle of birch twigs used in the past to hit someone as a punishment.

n. a bundle of twigs or a flexible rod used historically for administering corporal punishment.

“In the old story, the schoolmaster kept a birch on his desk to frighten the students.”

“The threat of the birch was a standard feature of nineteenth-century discipline in many European educational institutions.”

Archaic

v. to hit someone with a birch rod as a punishment.

v. to administer corporal punishment using a birch rod or bundle of twigs.

“The prisoner was birched for his crimes according to the laws of that time.”

“Historical records indicate that offenders were occasionally birched in public to serve as a deterrent to the rest of the community.”

Archaic · Formal