pollard

WOTD - 29 June 2008    

See also Pollard

English

Wikipedia

Etymology

From Middle English polle (“hair of the head”), (recorded in English since c.1290), from Middle Low German or Middle Dutch pol (“head, top”); the verb is from the noun.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA: /ˈpɒl.əd/
• (US) IPA: /ˈpɑ.lɚd/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

Noun

pollard (plural pollards)

A willow tree pollard.

1. (often attributive) A tree that has been pruned by cutting its branches back close to the trunk to promote a more bushy growth of foliage.
   • 1869, Richard Doddridge Blackmore, Lorna Doone, Chapter 65,

     Only a little pollard hedge kept us from their blood-shot eyes.

2. An animal, such as cattle or deer, whose horns have been removed or shed.
3. The chub (fish), Leuciscus cephalus.
4. (obsolete) A mixture of bran and meal.

Verb

Wikipedia

pollard (third-person singular simple present pollards, present participle pollarding, simple past and past participle pollarded)

1. (horticulture) To prune a tree heavily, cutting branches back to the trunk, so that it produces dense new growth.
   • 1910, Edward Morgan Forster, Howards End, Chapter 11,

     I didn't know one could pollard elms. I thought one only pollarded willows.