thorn apple

[ thawrn ]

noun

1. any poisonous plant belonging to the genus Datura, of the nightshade family, the species of which bear capsules covered with prickly spines, especially the jimson weed, D. stramonium.
2. the fruit of certain hawthorns of the genus Crataegus.

thorn apple

noun

1. See stramonium
   a poisonous solanaceous plant, Datura stramonium, of the N hemisphere, having white funnel-shaped flowers and spiny capsule fruits US and Canadian namejimson weed See also stramonium
2. any other plant of the genus Datura
3. the fruit of certain types of hawthorn

Word History and Origins

Origin of thorn apple¹

First recorded in 1570–80

Example Sentences

Its effects may be compared to those produced by the thorn-apple rather than to those arising from opium.

From Project Gutenberg

From the seeds of the thorn apple the Tenggerese make a sort of flour which is strongly narcotic in its effect.

From Project Gutenberg

The word tree-apple, although not existing in the language, is as correct a word as thorn-apple.

From Project Gutenberg

If food be mixed with the fruit of the thorn apple (Dathura) it causes intoxication.

From Project Gutenberg

But there is still greater brushiness in the thorn-apple (Fig. 209).

From Project Gutenberg