twiggy, a.
(ˈtwɪgɪ)
[f. twig n.1 + -y.]
1. Like a twig; slender, as a shoot or branch; also, † made of twigs or wickerwork (obs.).
| 1562 Turner Herbal ii. 40 b, Lithospermon..hath..diuerse twyggy braunches. 1597 Gerarde Herbal iii. cxxix. 1330 These [trees]..do cast their branches and twiggie tendrels vnto the earth, where they likewise take hold and roote. 1664 Evelyn Sylva xix. 42 Oziers..yielding more limber, and flexible twigs for Baskets, Flaskets, Hampers, Chairs, Hurdles, Stages, Bands, &c...; In fine, for all Wicker and Twiggy Works. 1713 J. Petiver in Phil. Trans. XXVIII. 35 This seems to differ..in having more twiggy Branches. 1721 Bailey, Wanded Chair, a Wicker or Twiggy-Chair. 1800 Misc. Tr. in Asiat. Ann. Reg. 267/2 A slender twiggy climbing plant on the mountains. 1896 G. Allen in Longm. Mag. Nov. 45 The netted willow..sends up twiggy shoots from a prostrate stem. |
2. Full of or abounding in twigs; bushy, shrubby.
| 1600 Surflet Countrie Farme vii. xxiv. 844 A hart passing through a thick and twiggie woode. 1728 Chambers Cycl. s.v. Root, Sarmentous, i.e. twiggy, or branching. 1881 Encycl. Brit. XII. 274/2 For the slender twiggy sorts [of pear-trees] the fan form is to be preferred. 1882 Garden 14 Jan. 19/3 Masses of twiggy growth at the bottom. |
Hence ˈtwigginess, the condition or quality of being twiggy.
| 1927 Smallholder 26 Mar. 105/1 Pea sticks ought to last through two seasons. Of course, in the second year they lose most of their twigginess. 1981 Country Life 1 Jan. 39/2 Potentilla fruticosa... Its winter-brown twigginess should match the tawny beech. |