wattle

Definition

A construction of branches and twigs woven together to form a wall, barrier, fence, or roof.

Etymology

From Middle English wattel, watel, from Old English watel, watul (“hurdle”). Ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *wey- (“to turn, wind, bend”).

Example Sentences

• "And there the heathen Prince, Arviragus, / Gave him an isle of marsh whereon to build; / And there he built with wattles from the marsh / A little lonely church in days of yore, […]"
• "The buttons below his waddle open to reveal a ruddy V, tidemark of the sun."
• "The tents and sheets are made of the best Canadian duck, tanned for the purpose of preservation with a strong extract of iron-bark and wattle-bark."