buckthorn

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noun buck·thorn \ -ˌthȯrn \

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.

Recent Examples of buckthorn from the Web

Some people use buckthorn as a barrier, and that’s not good because the seeds go everywhere.

— joanne kempinger demski, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Invasive plants to watch out for," 20 Aug. 2017
Acres of Ohio horsemint, pale leafcup, leafy prairie clover and glade quillwort now thrive on land that once was a forest of prickly buckthorn.

— susan demar lafferty, Daily Southtown, "Will County forest earns restoration award," 10 Aug. 2017
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.

— patrick m. o'connell, chicagotribune.com, "Restoration of Illinois' oak savannas tries to reach new heights," 30 May 2017
Steve Sullivan, county parks director, said last week that the county has spent about $700,000 since 2015 to restore prairies, improve woodlands, enhance water quality in ponds and remove buckthorn in the 2,000-acre park.

— pioneer press, Twin Cities, "Reward offered in damage to trees at Lebanon Hills," 31 Mar. 2017

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

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noun buck·thorn \ ˈbək-ˌthȯ(ə)rn \

medical 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

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See words that rhyme with buckthorn Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about buckthorn

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buckthorn

Definition of buckthorn

Recent Examples of buckthorn from the Web

First Known Use of buckthorn

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buckthorn

medical Definition of buckthorn

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