thicket
UK: ˈθɪkɪt | US: ˈθɪkɪt
n. a dense group of bushes or small trees
n. a tangled or crowded mass of something
thicket = thick<dense> + et<diminutive suffix>
- thick (from Old English þicce, meaning "dense" or "closely packed")
- et (a diminutive suffix in Middle English, often used to form nouns indicating smallness or collectivity)
Etymology Origin:
The word "thicket" originated in Middle English, combining "thick" (denoting density) with the diminutive suffix "-et," implying a small but densely packed area of vegetation. This reflects the word's literal meaning—a compact, tangled growth of shrubs or trees. The suffix "-et" is rare in modern English but survives in words like "circlet" or "lancet," emphasizing smallness or specificity.
The rabbit disappeared into the thicket, hidden by the dense foliage.
We struggled to push through the thicket of brambles during our hike.
A small bird’s nest was concealed in the heart of the thicket.
The hunters lost sight of the deer as it vanished into a thicket.
The garden’s overgrown thicket became a haven for wildlife.