| Thorn 1. (n.) A hard and sharp-pointed projection from a woody stem; usually, a branch so transformed; a spine. 2. (n.) Any shrub or small tree which bears thorns; especially, any species of the genus Crataegus, as the hawthorn, whitethorn, cockspur thorn. 3. (n.) Fig.: That which pricks or annoys as a thorn; anything troublesome; trouble; care. 4. (n.) The name of the Anglo-Saxon letter /, capital form /. It was used to represent both of the sounds of English th, as in thin, then. So called because it was the initial letter of thorn, a spine. 5. (v. t.) To prick, as with a thorn. Thesaurus Entries adherent, adhesive, affliction, annoyance, bane, barb, barnacle, bitter cup, bitter draft, bitter draught, bitter pill, bother, bramble, brier, bristle, bugbear, bulldog, burden, burden of care, burr, cactus, calamity, cankerworm of care, care, catchweed, cement, cleavers, cross, crown of thorns, crushing burden, curse, death, decal, decalcomania, destruction, disease, distress, encumbrance, evil, gall, gall and wormwood, glue, goose grass, grievance, gunk, harm, infliction, irritant, irritation, leech, limpet, load, molasses, mucilage, needle, nemesis, nettle, nuisance, open wound, oppression, pack of troubles, paste, peck of troubles, pest, pestilence, pine needle, plague, plaster, point, prickle, quill, remora, running sore, scourge, sea of troubles, sorrow, spicule, spiculum, spike, spikelet, spine, sticker, syrup, thistle, torment, torture, trouble, vexation, visitation, waters of bitterness, weight, woe, yucca |