Now dial. Also 7 whitchen. [f. WITCH sb.3 + -EN4.]

1

  1.  In full witchen elm: = WYCH ELM. Also attrib.

2

1594.  Plat, Jewell-ho., II. 53. Another tree, that somewhat resembleth our Witchen Elmes.

3

1615.  Markham, Country Contentm., I. viii. 108. The best bowe is either Spanish or English yewe, and the worst of Witchen or Elme. Ibid. (1621), Hungers Prevention, 39. A very good stiffe young growne Plant of Hazell, Elme, or Witchen.

4

1820.  Clare, Rural Life (ed. 3), 53. And the witchen-branches nigh, O’er my snug box towering high. Ibid. (1821), Vill. Minstrel, II. 121. The rooks, where yonder witchens spread, Quawk clamorous to the spring’s approach.

5

  2.  The mountain ash, Pyrus aucuparia. Cf. QUICKEN sb.1 (whicken), WHITTEN.

6

1664.  Evelyn, Sylva, xiv. 31. The Quick-beam [Ornus] or (as others term it) the Whitchen [1676 Witchen].

7

1676.  M. Cook, Forrest-Trees, xxii. 75. The Quickbeam, Whitchen, or Wild-ash, though very scarce in the South parts of this Land, is pretty plentifull in some parts of the North.

8

1861.  Miss Pratt, Flower. Pl., II. 262. Pyrus aucuparia (Mountain Ash) … This tree has also the old names of Quicken-tree … and Witchen-tree.

9