birch
//bɜːtʃ//
Noun
birchSingular
birchesPlural
1
A deciduous tree or shrub of the genus Betula, typically having thin, peeling bark and slender branches.
The birch trees in the forest have beautiful white bark.
2
The hard, pale wood of the birch tree, used in furniture and plywood.
This table is made of birch.
3
A bundle of birch twigs used for flogging as a form of punishment.
In the past, the birch was used as a form of corporal punishment in schools.
Synonym
Verb
birchInfinitive
birchesPresent tense
birchedPast tense
birchedPast participle
birchingPresent participle
birchesThird-person singular
1
To beat or flog someone with a birch rod or bundle of birch twigs.
In the past, schoolmasters would birch students as punishment.