firethorn

[ fahyuhr-thawrn ]

noun

1. any of several evergreen, thorny Asian shrubs belonging to the genus Pyracantha, of the rose family, many species of which are cultivated for their foliage and ornamental fruits.

firethorn

/ ˈfaɪəˌθɔːn /

noun

1. any rosaceous evergreen spiny shrub of the genus Pyracantha , of SE Europe and Asia, having bright red or orange fruits: cultivated for ornament

Word History and Origins

Origin of firethorn¹

An Americanism dating back to 1905–10