thistly

[ this-lee, -uh-lee ]

adjective

1. filled with or having many thistles.
2. suggesting a growth of thistles, especially in being difficult or painful to handle:

   a thistly set of problems.

Word History and Origins

Origin of thistly¹

First recorded in 1590–1600; thistle + -y ¹

Example Sentences

Perhaps it was the thistly food he ate which had an effect upon his temper and made him the awkward creature he had grown.

From Project Gutenberg

In this valley there were the most beautiful flowers, mallows, chrysanthemums, and thistly plants.

From Project Gutenberg