Main Entry: thorn

Pronunciation: \ˈthȯrn\

Function: noun

Usage: often attributive

Etymology: Middle English, from Old English; akin to Old High German dorn thorn, Sanskrit tṛṇa 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 \ˈthȯrnd\ adjective

— thorn·less \ˈthȯrn-ləs\ adjective

— thorn·like \-ˌlīk\ adjective