Meaning

Any of various trees of the genus Betula, native to countries in the Northern Hemisphere..

Definitions by Sense

1. Any of various trees of the genus Betula, native to countries in the Northern Hemisphere.
2. A hard wood taken from the birch tree, typically used to make furniture.
3. A stick, rod or bundle of twigs made from birch wood, used for punishment.
4. A birch-bark canoe.
5. (transitive) To punish with a stick, bundle of twigs, or rod made of birch wood.
6. (transitive) To punish as though one were using a stick, bundle of twigs, or rod made of birch wood.

Example Sentences

That the morrow would see us arraigned 'fore the Head And probably birched with a willow

[…] and was tied to a tree and soundly birched with a bundle of furze

The Mexica were always washing, in water obtained through the aqueduct, or in the lake, and would often go to the popular baths in the numerous stone steam houses (where birching, with grasses, or massage was also available).

Word Forms

• birches
• birching
• birched

Synonyms for birch

Related Words

When Should You Use Birch?

Use birch when its meaning, tone and grammar fit the full sentence. A synonym is not always a direct replacement.

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