n.
Pronunciation: ' tho ̇ rn
Function: noun
Usage: often attrib
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English; akin to Old High German dorn thorn, Sanskrit t ṛ ṇ a grass, blade of grass
Date: before 12th century
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 \ ' tho ̇ rnd \ adjective
– thorn · less \ ' tho ̇ rn-l ə s \ adjective
– thorn · like \ - ˌ l ī k \ adjective