ˈthȯrnē, -ȯ(ə)n-, -ni adjective
( -er/-est )
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English thornig, from thorn (I) + -ig -y
1. : full of thorns or spines or thornbushes : rough or thick with thorns : spiny , brambly
a thorny bush
thorny ground
2.
a. : beset with trials, vexations, obstacles, or other difficulties
the steep and thorny way to heaven — Shakespeare
b. : sharp as a thorn : keenly distressing : stabbing
thorny cares
c. : as difficult to handle as a thorny branch or a thornbush : bristling with perplexities, points of controversy, or other conflicting elements
the thorny question of states' rights