birch
US /bɝːtʃ/
UK /bɝːtʃ/
1.
a slender, fast-growing tree that has thin bark (often peeling) and bears catkins. Birch trees grow chiefly in north temperate regions, some reaching the northern limit of tree growth.
2.
a formal punishment in which a person is flogged with a bundle of birch twigs.
:
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there were calls to bring back the birch
1.
beat (someone) with a bundle of birch twigs as a formal punishment.
:
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the school would attempt to birch them into submission