witch hazel
Any of several small deciduous trees, of the genus Hamamelis, having yellow flowersAny of several small deciduous trees, of the genus Hamamelis, having yellow flowers: Hamamelis virginiana, native to eastern North America.
» Witch hazel tightens pores without drying skin.
Meaning
5 sensesAny of several small deciduous trees, of the genus Hamamelis, having yellow flowers
(US, countable, uncountable)Hamamelis virginiana, native to eastern North America.
herbstblühende Zaubernuss, virginische Zaubernuss, Zaubernuss
(US, countable, uncountable)Hamamelis vernalis, native to the Ozarks.
(uncountable)An extract of the bark and/or leaves of this plant, used as an astringent
lotion consisting of an astringent alcoholic solution containing an extract from the witch hazel plant
(countable, obsolete, uncountable)A wych-elm, or a certain subspecies of it distinguished from wych-elm.
(Essex, countable, obsolete, uncountable)Hornbeam (Carpinus betulus).
Examples
1 sentencesWitch hazel tightens pores without drying skin.
Translations
4 languagesBy meaning 2
Origin
See Middle English wiche, from Old English wiċe (“wych elm or rowan”), perhaps derived froSee 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”).
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Forms
plural: witch hazelsSynonyms
4 synonyms- lotion consisting of an astringent alcoholic solution containing an extract from the witch hazel plant:wych hazel
- any of several shrubs or trees of the genus Hamamelis; bark yields an astringent lotion:witch hazel plantwych hazelwych hazel plant
Lessons for this word
1 lessons- A1Countable and uncountable nouns — Because it can be uncountable