thorn-plant

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• thorn — O.E. þorn sharp point on a stem or branch, earlier thorny tree or plant, from P.Gmc. *thurnuz (Cf. O.S. thorn, Du. doorn, O.H.G. dorn, Ger. Dorn, O.N. þorn, Goth. þaurnus), from PIE *trnus (Cf. O.C.S. trunu thorn, Skt …   Etymology dictionary

• thorn — [thôrn] n. [ME < OE, akin to Ger dorn < IE * (s)ter , prickly plant (< base * ster , to be stiff) > Gr ternax, cactus stem] 1. a) a very short, hard, leafless branch or stem with a sharp point b) any small tree or shrub bearing thorns …   English World dictionary

• thorn forest — ▪ plant       dense, scrublike vegetation characteristic of dry subtropical and warm temperate areas with a seasonal rainfall averaging 250 to 500 millimetres (about 10 to 20 inches). This vegetation covers a large part of southwestern North… …   Universalium

• thorn — [θo:n US θo:rn] n [: Old English;] 1.) a sharp point that grows on the stem of a plant such as a rose 2.) [U and C] a bush or tree that has thorns ▪ a long, low hedge of thorns 3.) a thorn in sb s side someone or something that annoys you or… …   Dictionary of contemporary English

• thorn — ► NOUN 1) a stiff, sharp pointed woody projection on the stem or other part of a plant. 2) a thorny bush, shrub, or tree. 3) an Old English and Icelandic runic letter, þ or Þ, eventually superseded by th. ● a thorn in someone s side (or flesh) Cf …   English terms dictionary

• thorn — [ θɔrn ] noun count * 1. ) a sharp point that sticks out from the stem of a plant 2. ) a bush or tree with a lot of thorns on it a thorn in someone s side a person or thing that causes a lot of problems for someone …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

• thorn apple — thorn′ ap ple [[t]θɔrn[/t]] n. 1) pln the jimsonweed or a related plant bearing prickly fruit 2) pln the bright red or yellow fruit of certain hawthorns …   From formal English to slang

• thorn apple — n. 1. HAWTHORN 2. its applelike fruit ☆ 3. a jimson weed or similar plant …   English World dictionary

• Plant defense against herbivory — Poison ivy produces urushiol to protect the plant from herbivores. In humans this chemical produces an allergic skin rash, known as urushiol induced contact dermatitis …   Wikipedia

• thorn — [[t]θɔrn[/t]] n. 1) bot a hard, sharp outgrowth on a plant, esp. a sharp pointed aborted branch 2) pln a thorny tree or shrub, as the hawthorne 3) the wood of such a plant 4) ling. a runic character (þ), borrowed into the Latin alphabet and used… …   From formal English to slang

• thorn — n. 1 a stiff sharp pointed projection on a plant. 2 a thorn bearing shrub or tree. 3 the name of an Old English and Icelandic runic letter, = th. Phrases and idioms: on thorns continuously uneasy esp. in fear of being detected. thorn apple 1 a… …   Useful english dictionary