twig Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a small branch or division of a branch (especially a terminal division); usually applied to branches of the current or preceding year
    sprig; branchlet.
  2. verb branch out in a twiglike manner
    • The lightning bolt twigged in several directions
  3. verb understand, usually after some initial difficulty
    get it; catch on; latch on; tumble; get wise; get onto; cotton on.
    • She didn't know what her classmates were plotting but finally caught on

WordNet

Twig transitive verb
Etymology
Cf. Tweak.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Twigged ; present participle & verbal noun Twigging
Definitions
  1. To twitch; to pull; to tweak. Obs. or Scot.
Twig transitive verb
Etymology
Gael. tuig, or Ir. tuigim I understand.
Definitions
  1. To understand the meaning of; to comprehend; as, do you twig me? Colloq. Marryat.
  2. To observe slyly; also, to perceive; to discover. "Now twig him; now mind him." Foote.
    As if he were looking right into your eyes and twigged something there which you had half a mind to conceal. Hawthorne.
Twig noun
Etymology
AS. twig; akin to D. twijg, OHG. zwig, zwi, G. zweig, and probably to E. two.
Definitions
  1. A small shoot or branch of a tree or other plant, of no definite length or size.
    The Britons had boats made of willow twigs, covered on the outside with hides. Sir T. Raleigh.
Twig transitive verb
Definitions
  1. To beat with twigs.

Webster 1913