osier Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun flexible twig of a willow tree
  2. noun any of various willows having pliable twigs used in basketry and furniture

WordNet

O"sier noun
Etymology
F. osier: cf. Prov. F. oisis, Armor. ozil, aozil, Gr. , , , L. vitex, and E. withy.
Definitions
  1. (Bot.) (a) A kind of willow (Salix viminalis) growing in wet places in Europe and Asia, and introduced into North America. It is considered the best of the willows for basket work. The name is sometimes given to any kind of willow. (b) One of the long, pliable twigs of this plant, or of other somilar plants.
    The rank of osiers by the murmuring stream. Shak.
O"sier adjective
Definitions
  1. Made of osiers; composed of, or containing, osiers. "This osier cage of ours." Shak.

Webster 1913