witchhag (wichhag)

Same as witch- chick. witch-hazel (wich'hā"zl), n. [Also wich - hazel, wych - hazel; its flowers with four yellow strap-shaped pet als, appearing when the leaves are falling, the fruit, which is a woody capsule, ripening the next season. The leaves IMG:content-2475.png:[ocr errors][merged small] are broad and straight-veined, wavy-margined. The leaves and bark of witch-hazel abound in tannin, and the bark af- fords also a reputed sedative application for various cases of external inflammation. The leaves are said to po e similar properties, and an infusion of them is given in- ternally for bowel-complaints and hemorrhages. While witch-hazel is now much in vogue as a cure for bruises and sprains, as also for various internal difficulties, and is even officinally recognized, its real virtue, if any, is still quite in doubt. witch-doctor (wich'doktor), n. Same as med i- cine-man. Encyc. Brit ., XIII. 820. witch-elm (wich'elm), n. [Also wich- elm , and archaically wych - elm ; also weech - elm ; witch2 + elm. In this word and witch - hazel , the archaic spelling is much affected in modern use.] An elm, Ulmus montana , of hilly districts in west- ern and northern Europe and northern Asia; the common wild elm of Scotland, Ireland, and the northern and western parts of England. It is le tall than the common English elm ( U. campes 2. Fascinating; enchanting. witching (wich'ing), n. [ wicching , wicch- inge ; verbal n. of witch1 , v.] The practices of witches; enchantment. tris ), but is a considerable tree, of picturesque habit, the trunk branching naturally near the base, the leaves broadly ovate. The wood has the fine-grained, tough, and elastic quality of U. campestris, and is preferred for bent work, witching (wich'ing), p. a. 1. Bewitching; suited to enchantment or witchcraft; weird. 'Tis now the very witching time of night, When churchyards yawn. Shak., Hamlet, iii. 2. 406. Let neither flattery, nor the witching sound Of high and soft preferment, touch your goodne . Fletcher (and another ), False One, iv. 3. IMG:content-2476.png:[blocks in formation]