† ˈbendwith Herb. Obs.
[probably f. bend n.1 + with: perh. another form of bindwith. The word in Promp. Parv. suggests the Sw. benved ‘bone-wood,’ expl. as ‘dogberry, wild cornel,’ and Icel. beinv{iacu}ðir a willow (Salix arbuscula Vigf.), the meaning of which is ‘bone-withy.’]
The name of a shrub of which the twigs are used to tie up fagots, etc. Identified by Bradley with the Way-faring Tree or Wild Guelder Rose.
| c 1440 Promp. Parv. 31 Benwyttre [1499 benewith tre]. 1727 Bradley Fam. Dict., Bendwith, in Latin, Viburnum..they make use of its Branches to tie Faggots with. 1783 Ainsworth Lat. Dict. (Morell) 1, Bendwith, viburnum. |