witch hazel
witch hazel Lexical Profile
• noun
An astringent and soothing topical liquid extracted from the bark and leaves of the North American witch hazel plant, commonly used to treat minor skin irritations and inflammation.
"After shaving, he applied a little witch hazel with a cotton round to soothe his skin and close his pores."
Any of several deciduous winter-flowering shrubs or small trees of the genus Hamamelis, native to North America and Asia, typically bearing clusters of yellow or orange spidery flowers.
"We planted a witch hazel in the front garden so we could enjoy its bright yellow blooms even in the middle of winter."
Word Origin & Etymology
The word 'witch' in witch hazel does not refer to magic; it derives from the Old English 'wice', meaning 'pliant' or 'bendable', used to describe the branches. 'Hazel' was added due to the plant's visual similarity to the unrelated common hazel tree. Native Americans widely utilized the plant's medicinal properties long before European settlement.