Thorn
[θɔːn] or [θɔrn]
Definition
(n.) A hard and sharp-pointed projection from a woody stem; usually, a branch so transformed; a spine.
(n.) Any shrub or small tree which bears thorns; especially, any species of the genus Crataegus, as the hawthorn, whitethorn, cockspur thorn.
(n.) Fig.: That which pricks or annoys as a thorn; anything troublesome; trouble; care.
(n.) The name of the Anglo-Saxon letter /, capital form /. It was used to represent both of the sounds of English th, as in thin, then. So called because it was the initial letter of thorn, a spine.
(v. t.) To prick, as with a thorn.
Checked by John
Synonyms and Synonymous
n. [1]. Spine, prickle.[2]. Annoyance, plague, nuisance, infliction, trouble, scourge, torment, bitter pill, curse, gall and wormwood.
Checked by Gardner
Definition
n. a sharp woody spine on the stem of a plant: a spine: a plant having spines or thorns: anything prickly or troublesome.—ns. Thorn′-app′le a plant of genus Datura: a haw a thorn-tree; Thorn′back a species of ray or skate which has nail-like crooked spines in its back; Thorn′bill a variety of humming-bird with short straight bill; Thorn′-bush a shrub producing thorns; Thorn′-hedge a hedge of hawthorn.—adjs. Thorn′less without thorns; Thorn′set set or beset with thorns; Thorn′y full of thorns: prickly: troublesome: harassing (A.S. thorniht).—Thorn in the flesh any cause of constant irritation from 2 Cor. xii. 7.
Inputed by Hannibal
Unserious Contents or Definition
To dream of thorns, is an omen of dissatisfaction, and evil will surround every effort to advancement. If the thorns are hidden beneath green foliage, you prosperity will be interfered with by secret enemies.
Editor: Stu
Examples
- Her resting-place was at a certain stile under a certain old thorn. Charlotte Bronte. Shirley.
- Stir them up with a thorn. Thomas Hardy. The Return of the Native.
- A fire was burning under a pollard thorn a few paces off, over which three kettles hung in a row. Thomas Hardy. The Return of the Native.
- I may not be as handsome as she is; I am not a fair judge of that question, I suppose; but I know I am handsome enough to be a thorn in her side. Charles Dickens. Little Dorrit.
- My precious thorn roots, the rarest of all firing, that I laid by on purpose for Christmas--you have burnt 'em nearly all! Thomas Hardy. The Return of the Native.
- The most enduring of all--steady unaltering eyes like Planets--signified wood, such as hazel-branches, thorn-faggots, and stout billets. Thomas Hardy. The Return of the Native.
- By the road the black-thorn was in blossom, white and wet, its tiny amber grains burning faintly in the white smoke of blossom. D. H. Lawrence. Women in Love .
- In my quiet days, when I was my own man, I never quarrelled with the night for being long, nor cursed my bed for its thorns. Charlotte Bronte. Shirley.
- Try lower down, and pick those that have no thorns, said Amy, gathering three of the tiny cream-colored ones that starred the wall behind her. Louisa May Alcott. Little Women.
- We have cleared away all the old thorns that grew in patches over the brow. Jane Austen. Sense and Sensibility.
- And some fell among thorns and the thorns sprung up and choked them. William Henry Doolittle. Inventions in the Century.
- They have, also--which was far more interesting to me--a piece of the true cross, and some nails, and a part of the crown of thorns. Mark Twain. The Innocents Abroad.
- They are sharp thorns, but they are such comfort. Charles Dickens. David Copperfield.
- Perdita, I had said, some day you will discover that you have done wrong in again casting Raymond on the thorns of life. Mary Shelley. The Last Man.
Typed by Carla