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Definition of thorn
1a : a sharp rigid process on a plant; especially : one that is a short, indurated, sharp-pointed, and leafless modified stem — compare prickle, spineb : any of various sharp spinose structures on an animal
2 : a woody plant bearing sharp impeding processes (such as prickles or spines); especially : hawthorn
3 : something that causes distress or irritation —often used in the phrase thorn in one's side
4 : 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\
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Examples of thorn in a Sentence
your constant questions are a thorn in my side
Recent Examples of thorn from the Web
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Ervin designed hers, with a crown of thorns inside a white gold band connected to rose gold fleur-de-lis cross.
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In urban settings deer often eat rose shrubs, somehow avoiding mouth injury from the thorns.
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The rule has been a longtime thorn in the side of Utah’s restaurant industry, which has complained that the barriers can be ugly and awkward, and point out that children can still see customers drinking alcohol.
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The rule has been a longtime thorn in the side of Utah’s restaurant industry, which has complained that the barriers can be ugly and awkward, and point out that children can still see customers drinking alcohol.
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Affected plants have stunted, clubby stems with multitudes of vicious thorns.
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Ervin designed hers, with a crown of thorns inside a white gold band connected to rose gold fleur-de-lis cross.
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The French leader’s strategy to be the thorn in Trump’s side is no coincidence.
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The upstart conservative Freedom Caucus wanted one of their own for the job, but the group has been a thorn in the side of party leadership, and nearly killed Speaker Paul Ryan's Affordable Care Act repeal bill.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'thorn'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of thorn
Middle English, from Old English; akin to Old High German dorn thorn, Sanskrit tṛṇa grass, blade of grass
THORN Defined for Kids
thorn
playDefinition of thorn for Students
1 : a hard sharp leafless point on the stem or branch of a plant (as a rose bush)
2 : a bush or tree that has thorns
Learn More about thorn
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See words that rhyme with thorn Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for thorn Spanish Central: Translation of thorn Nglish: Translation of thorn for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of thorn for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about thorn
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