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Definition of buckthorn
1 : any of a genus (Rhamnus of the family Rhamnaceae, the buckthorn family) of often thorny trees or shrubs some of which yield purgatives or pigments
2 : a shrub or small tree (Bumelia lycioides) of the sapodilla family of the southern U.S.
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Recent Examples of buckthorn from the Web
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Invasive honeysuckle and buckthorn have been targeted for removal, and young bur oaks, often protected by a mesh blanket, have been planted among the grasslands.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'buckthorn'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
First Known Use of buckthorn
1578
Medical Dictionary
buckthorn
playMedical Definition of buckthorn
: a shrub or tree of the genus Rhamnus sometimes having thorny branches and often containing purgative principles in bark or sap and producing fruits sometimes used as a source of yellow and green dyes or pigments—see cascara buckthorn
Learn More about buckthorn
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See words that rhyme with buckthorn Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about buckthorn
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