thorn

thorn

noun, often attributive \ˈthȯrn\

Definition of THORN

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

Examples of THORN

1. <your constant questions are a thorn in my side>

Origin of THORN

Middle English, from Old English; akin to Old High German dorn thorn, Sanskrit tṛṇa grass, blade of grass

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to THORN

Synonyms: aggravation, aggro [British], bother, botheration, bugbear, exasperation, frustration, hair shirt, hassle, headache, inconvenience, irk, irritant, nuisance, peeve, pest, rub, ruffle, annoyance, trial, vexation

Related Words: discomfort, fleabite, pinprick; affront, insult, offense (or offence); upset, worry; affliction, albatross, burden, cross, curse, menace, millstone, plague, sore; anxiety, plight, predicament, tribulation, trouble; hang-up, pet peeve, problem; annoyer, disturber, harasser, mischief, offender; pandora's box

Near Antonyms: delight, joy, pleasure

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Rhymes with THORN

born, borne, bourn, corn, horn, lorn, morn, mourn, Norn, Orne, porn, scorn, warn, Zorn