witchen Now dial.
(ˈwɪtʃən)
Also 7 whitchen.
[f. witch n.3 + -en4.]
1. In full witchen elm: = wych elm. Also attrib.
| 1594 Plat Jewell-ho. ii. 53 Another tree, that somewhat resembleth our Witchen Elmes. 1615 Markham Country Contentm. i. viii. 108 The best bowe is either Spanish or English yewe, and the worst of Witchen or Elme. 1621 ― Hungers Prevention 39 A very good stiffe young growne Plant of Hazell, Elme, or Witchen. 1820 Clare Rural Life (ed. 3) 53 And the witchen-branches nigh, O'er my snug box towering high. 1821 ― Vill. Minstrel II. 121 The rooks, where yonder witchens spread, Quawk clamorous to the spring's approach. |
2. The mountain ash, Pyrus aucuparia. Cf. quicken n.1 (whicken), whitten.
| 1664 Evelyn Sylvia xiv. 31 The Quick-beam [Ornus] or (as others term it) the Whitchen [1676 Witchen]. 1676 M. Cook Forest-Trees xxii. 75 The Quickbeam, Whitchen, or Wild-ash,..is pretty plentifull in some parts of the North. 1861 Miss Pratt Flower. Pl. II. 262 Pyrus aucuparia (Mountain Ash)..This tree has also the old names of Quicken-tree..and Witchen-tree. |