blackthorn

[ blak-thawrn ]

noun

1. a shrub or tree of the genus Crataegus, as C. calpodendron.
2. a walking stick made of a blackthorn tree or shrub.
3. Also called sloe. a much-branched, thorny, Old World shrub, Prunus spinosa, having white flowers and small plumlike fruits.
4. pear haw.

blackthorn

/ ˈblækˌθɔːn /

noun

1. Also calledsloe a thorny Eurasian rosaceous shrub, Prunus spinosa , with black twigs, white flowers, and small sour plumlike fruits
2. a walking stick made from its wood

Word History and Origins

Origin of blackthorn¹

First recorded in 1350–1400, blackthorn is from Middle English blak thorn. See black, thorn

Example Sentences

Hugh had for many years been watching over the growth of a young blackthorn sapling.

From Project Gutenberg

Mr. Gano stopped meditatively, and struck his blackthorn into the gray "MacAdam" powder.

From Project Gutenberg

So I got down and drew this wattle from the side of a turf creel,—you see it is a strong blackthorn, and good stuff too.

From Project Gutenberg

Garry's Hill stood in a field, at the bottom of which was a blackthorn fence among whose roots dwelt a colony of brown rats.

From Project Gutenberg

Sir Peter's gnarled old hands met above his blackthorn stick and trembled.

From Project Gutenberg