thorn

Everyday

1. A thorn is a sharp, pointed part on the stem of a plant like a rose or bramble. tree →
2. A thorn is a plant or bush with thorns, like a hawthorn. tree →
3. «A thorn in your side» means a person or thing that keeps annoying or troubling you. tree →

In the lessons

In science, thorns protect plants from being eaten by animals. In safety, thorns can scratch, and gardening gloves help. In stories and fairy tales, like Sleeping Beauty, a forest of thorns keeps people out. Phrases: «a thorn in my side», «every rose has its thorn», «thorn bush».

Examples

• I pricked my finger on a rose thorn. tree →
• The thorns protect the plant from goats. tree →
• Wear gloves when you pick blackberries because of the thorns. tree →
• A thorn got stuck in the dog's paw. tree →
• The castle was hidden behind a wall of thorns. tree →
• The hawthorn tree has long thorns. tree →
• That noisy neighbour is a thorn in my side. tree →
• Mum pulled the thorn out with tweezers. tree →
• A LION, roaming through a forest, trod upon a thorn. tree →

Note

Countable: a thorn, thorns. Strictly, botanists say roses have «prickles», not true thorns, but in everyday English «thorn» is fine. Do not confuse with «torn» (ripped) or «throne» (a king's chair).

In Jewish tradition

A sharp, pointed part of a plant, or a bush that has them. The Song of Songs compares a beloved to a lily among thorns, and the prophets use thorns for land left wild and ruined. In the primary lessons: In science, thorns protect plants from being eaten by animals. In safety, thorns can scratch, and gardening gloves help. In stories and fairy tales, like Sleeping Beauty, a forest of thorns keeps people out. Phrases: «a thorn in my side», «every rose has its thorn», «thorn bush».

Examples

• If fire break out, and catch in thorns, so that the shocks of corn, or the standing corn, or the field are consumed; he that kindled the fire shall surely make restitution. (Torah EXO.22.6, JPS 1917) tree →
• As a lily among thorns, so is my love among the daughters. (Writings SNG.2.2, JPS 1917) tree →
• Fury is not in Me; would that I were as the briers and thorns in flame! (Prophets ISA.27.4, JPS 1917) tree →
• With arrows and with bow shall one come thither; because all the land shall become briers and thorns. (Prophets ISA.7.24, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Countable: a thorn, thorns. Strictly, botanists say roses have «prickles», not true thorns, but in everyday English «thorn» is fine. Do not confuse with «torn» (ripped) or «throne» (a king's chair).