birch

(noun) hard close-grained wood of any of various birch trees; used especially in furniture and interior finishes and plywood.

(noun) any betulaceous tree or shrub of the genus Betula having a thin peeling bark. Synonyms: birch tree.

(noun) a switch consisting of a twig or a bundle of twigs from a birch tree; used to hit people as punishment. Synonyms: birch rod. Example: "My father never spared the birch."

(verb) whip with a birch twig.

(adj) consisting of or made of wood of the birch tree. Synonyms: birchen, birken.