Birch — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun verb /ˈbərch/

Meaning & Definition of Birch

Birch (noun)

  1. any of a genus (Betula of the family Betulaceae, the birch family) of monoecious deciduous trees or shrubs having simple petioled leaves and typically a layered membranous outer bark that peels readily
  2. the hard pale close-grained wood of a birch
  3. a birch rod or bundle of twigs for flogging

Birch (verb)

  1. to beat with or as if with a birch, whip

Birch (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to strike repeatedly with something long and thin or flexible

    "students at the private school were once routinely birched for violating the rules"

    similar: cowhide, flagellate, flail, flog, hide, horsewhip, lash, leather, rawhide, scourge, slash, switch, tan, thrash, whale, whip
    related: knout, quirt, strap, cut, flick, touch up, blackjack, cane, club, cudgel, fustigate, pistol-whip, bang, bop, box, bust, clap, clip, clobber, clout, crack, cuff, hit, knock, lam, paste, punch, slap, slug, smack, smite, sock, spank, swat, swipe, thwack, wallop, whack, bash, baste, bat, batter, beat, belabor, belt, bludgeon, buffet, bung, drub, fib (British), hammer, lace, lambaste, lather, lick, mangle, maul, paddle, pelt, pommel, pound, pummel, rough, slate, slog, thresh, thump, tromp, whop, whup, work over

  2. to strike repeatedly

    "always a stern disciplinarian, our father birched anyone who talked back"

    similar: bash, baste, bat, batter, beat, belabor, belt, bludgeon, buffet, bung up, club, curry, do, drub, fib (British), flog, hammer, hide, lace, lambaste, lash, lather, lick, maul, mess (up), paddle, pelt, pommel, pound, pummel, punch out, rough (up), slate, slog, switch, tan, thrash, thresh, thump, tromp, wallop, whale, whip, whop, whup, work over, beat up on
    related: assail, assault, attack, beset, box, bust, chop, clobber, clout, crack, cudgel, cuff, descend (on or upon), hit, jump (on), knock, lam, lay on, paste, pounce (on or upon), punch, raid, rush, slam, slap, smack, smash, sock, spank, storm, swat, swipe, thwack, whack, wham, whomp, blackjack, cane, cowhide, flagellate, fustigate, horsewhip, leather, pistol-whip, rawhide, scourge, strap, gore, lacerate, wound, maim, mangle, mutilate

Birch (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. as in hickory, rattan

    similar: blacksnake, bullwhip, cat-o'-nine-tails, cowhide, crop, hickory, knout, quirt, rattan, rawhide, strap, flogger, lash, scourge, switch, whip, bastinado, bat, baton, billy, billy club, bludgeon, cane, club, cudgel, flail, nightstick, staff

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Birch

The most common words with a similar meaning to Birch:

British: fib
cowhide, flagellate, flail, flog, hide, horsewhip, lash, leather, rawhide, scourge, slash, switch, tan, thrash, whale, whip, bash, baste, bat, batter, beat, belabor, belt, bludgeon, buffet, bung up, club, curry, do, drub, hammer, lace, lambaste, lather, lick, maul, mess (up), paddle, pelt, pommel

Related Words for Birch

cut, flick, touch up, blackjack, fustigate, pistol-whip, bang, bop, box, bust, clap, clip, clobber, clout, crack, cuff, hit, knock, lam, paste, punch, slap, slug, smack, smite, sock, spank, swat, swipe, thwack

Word Forms of Birch

Inflections: birched, birching, birches

Derived words: birch (adjective)

Origin & Etymology of Birch

Middle English, from Old English beorc; akin to Old High German birka birch, Old English beorht bright, and probably to Latin fraxinus ash tree bright

First known use: before 12th century

Words & Phrases Containing Birch

black birch, gray birch, paper birch, sweet birch, white birch, yellow birch, the birch

Frequently Asked Questions about Birch

What does "Birch" mean?

"Birch" means any of a genus (Betula of the family Betulaceae, the birch family) of monoecious deciduous trees or shrubs having simple petioled leaves and typically a layered membranous outer bark that peels readily. As an a noun and a verb, it is defined as: any of a genus (Betula of the family Betulaceae, the birch family) of monoecious deciduous trees or shrubs having simple petioled leaves and typically a layered membranous outer bark that peels readily. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Birch"?

Other words for "Birch" include cowhide, flagellate, flail, flog, hide, horsewhip, lash and leather. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Birch" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Birch"?

There are 128 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Birch". Common alternatives include cowhide, flagellate, flail, flog, hide, horsewhip, lash, leather, rawhide and scourge.

How do you use "Birch" in a sentence?

Examples of "Birch" in a sentence: "students at the private school were once routinely birched for violating the rules"; "always a stern disciplinarian, our father birched anyone who talked back".

Is "Birch" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Birch" can be used as a noun and a verb, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Birch"?

"Birch" is pronounced /ˈbərch/.

What is the origin of the word "Birch"?

"Birch" comes from Middle English, from Old English beorc; akin to Old High German birka birch, Old English beorht bright, and probably to Latin fraxinus ash tree bright. First known use: before 12th century.

What is another word for "Birch" meaning "to strike repeatedly with something long and thin or flexible"?

When "Birch" (verb) means to strike repeatedly with something long and thin or flexible, synonyms include cowhide, flagellate, flail, flog, hide and horsewhip.