willow

A tree or bush that often grows near water, usually with long, narrow leaves.

• A willow grows beside the pond.
• The willows bent in the wind.
• We rested under the branches of a large willow.

Common phrases: weeping willow, a willow tree, under a willow

Wood from this tree, used to make things such as cricket bats.

• This bat is made from willow.
• The craftsman carved the handle from willow.
• They dried the willow before shaping it.

Common phrases: made from willow, seasoned willow, a willow handle

A wooden bat used to hit the ball in cricket.

• He swung the willow confidently.
• Her skill with the willow delighted the crowd.
• The batsman raised his willow after reaching a hundred runs.

Similar words: cricket bat, bat

Common phrases: wield the willow, swing the willow, with the willow

A machine with turning metal points that separates and cleans cotton before it is made into cloth.

• The willow cleaned the raw cotton.
• Workers fed cotton into the willow.
• The mill’s willow had a drum covered in metal spikes.

Common phrases: a cotton willow, the willow drum, feed the willow