First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
thorn
noun, often attributive \ˈthȯrn\
Definition of THORN
1
: a woody plant bearing sharp impeding processes (as prickles or spines); especially : hawthorn
2
a : a sharp rigid process on a plant; specifically : a short, indurated, sharp-pointed, and leafless modified branch b : any of various sharp spinose structures on an animal
3
: the runic letter þ used in Old English and Middle English to represent either of the fricatives \th\ or \th\ and in Icelandic to represent \th\
4
: something that causes distress or irritation —often used in the phrase thorn in one's side
— thorned \ˈthȯrnd\ adjective
— thorn·less \ˈthȯrn-ləs\ adjective
— thorn·like \-ˌlīk\ adjective
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Origin of THORN
Middle English, from Old English; akin to Old High German dorn thorn, Sanskrit tṛṇa grass, blade of grass
Related to THORN
- Synonyms
- aggravation, aggro [British], bother, botheration, bugbear, exasperation, frustration, hair shirt, hassle, headache, inconvenience, irk, irritant, nuisance, peeve, pest, rub, ruffle, annoyance, trial, vexation
THORNLESS Defined for Kids
thorn
noun \ˈthȯrn\
Definition of THORN for Kids
1
: a hard sharp leafless point on the stem or branch of a plant (as a rose bush)
2
: a bush or tree that has thorns
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