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withe ((n.))†
Lumbering, Hist.
DCHP-1 (pre-1967)
Entry from the DCHP-1 (pre-1967)
This entry may contain outdated or offensive information, terms, and examples.
n.
See 1854 quote.
Quotations
1854
The cribs are lashed together by means of "withs"; these are formed by taking young birchen trees about the size of whip stalks and fastening their butts firmly, by means of wedges, into an auger hole bored into a stump, then commencing at the points and twisting them . . . until the whole of the fibre is separated and the twig becomes as pliant as a rope.
1945
Up to this time [1854], the withes had been softened for use by manpower, by rolling them on drums between pairs of six-foot wheels such as were used for steering the river-steamers.
1963
From the tough elastic nature of the withes and their being evenly and snugly tied, a really extraordinary strength was developed in the whole fabric of the bottom of the dram.