twig

¹twig

noun \ˈtwig\

Definition of TWIG

1

: a small shoot or branch usually without its leaves

2

: a minute branch of a nerve or artery

— twigged \ˈtwigd\ adjective

— twig·gy \ˈtwi-gē\ adjective

Origin of TWIG

Middle English twigge, from Old English; akin to Old High German zwīg twig, Old English twā two

First Known Use: before 12th century

Rhymes with TWIG

big, brig, cig, dig, fig, gig, grig, jig, pig, prig, rig, sprig, swig, trig, vig, Whig, wig, zig

²twig

verb

twiggedtwig·ging

Definition of TWIG

transitive verb

1

: notice, observe

2

: to understand the meaning of : comprehend

intransitive verb

: to gain a grasp : understand <twigged instinctively about things — H. E. Bates>

Examples of TWIG

1. He seemed confused until he twigged that something was going on.
2. I had to explain it to him three times but he finally twigged.

Origin of TWIG

perhaps from Irish & Scottish Gaelic tuig- understand

First Known Use: 1764

Related to TWIG

Synonyms

appreciate, apprehend, assimilate, behold, catch, catch on (to), cognize, compass, conceive, cotton (to or on to), decipher, decode, dig, discern, get, grasp, grok, intuit, know, make, make out, perceive, recognize, register, savvy, see, seize, sense, tumble (to), comprehend, understand

Antonyms

miss

Related Words

absorb, digest, take in; realize; fathom, penetrate, pierce

Near Antonyms

misapprehend, misconceive, misconstrue, misinterpret, misperceive, misread, mistake, misunderstand

³twig

noun

Definition of TWIG

British

: fashion, style

Origin of TWIG

origin unknown

First Known Use: circa 1811

twig

noun \ˈtwig\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of TWIG

: a minute branch of a nerve or artery <twigs of sensory nerves in the skin—Lynda Charters>