Phrase guide
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
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noun
Any of several small deciduous trees, of the genus Hamamelis, having yellow flowers
Hamamelis virginiana, native to eastern North America.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: US, countable, uncountable
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: American witch hazel
Antonyms: none provided
noun
Any of several small deciduous trees, of the genus Hamamelis, having yellow flowers
Hamamelis vernalis, native to the Ozarks.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: US, countable, uncountable
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
noun
An extract of the bark and/or leaves of this plant, used as an astringent
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: uncountable
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
noun
A wych-elm, or a certain subspecies of it distinguished from wych-elm.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: countable, obsolete, uncountable
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
noun
Hornbeam (Carpinus betulus).
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: Essex, countable, obsolete, uncountable
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
noun
lotion consisting of an astringent alcoholic solution containing an extract from the witch hazel plant
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: wych hazel
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: lotion, application
noun
any of several shrubs or trees of the genus Hamamelis; bark yields an astringent lotion
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: witch hazel plant, wych hazel, wych hazel plant
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: shrub, bush
Narrower terms: Virginian witch hazel, Hamamelis virginiana, vernal witch hazel, Hamamelis vernalis
History
See Middle English wiche, from Old English wiċe (“wych elm or rowan”), perhaps derived from the root of wīcan (“to give way”). Folk etymology refers to use by witches and other sorcerers of folkish magic using the plant in potions; however, compare German Zaubernuss (“witch hazel”, literally “magic nut”).
Across languages
18 source translations are retained for this English entry.
