hawthorn

[ haw-thawrn ]

noun

1. any of numerous plants belonging to the genus Crataegus, of the rose family, typically a small tree with stiff thorns, certain North American species of which have white or pink blossoms and bright-colored fruits and are cultivated in hedges.

hawthorn

/ ˈhɔːˌθɔːn /

noun

1. any of various thorny trees or shrubs of the N temperate rosaceous genus Crataegus, esp C. oxyacantha, having white or pink flowers and reddish fruits (haws) Also called (in Britain)maymay treemayflower

Other Words From

• hawthorny adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of hawthorn¹

before 900; Middle English; Old English haguthorn, cognate with Middle Dutch hagedorn, Middle High German hagendorn, Old Norse hagthorn. See haw ³, thorn

Word History and Origins

Origin of hawthorn¹

Old English haguthorn from haga hedge + thorn thorn; related to Old Norse hagthorn, Middle High German hagendorn, Dutch haagdoorn

Example Sentences

Hawthorn berries for regulated blood flowIf you collect enough of these common red fruits, which grow in trees and shrubs in the warmer regions of the Northern Hemisphere, you can make jam or even wine.

From Popular-Science

See, the hawthorn is shedding on us its last flowers, and the elders send out their perfume.

From Project Gutenberg

A hawthorn hedge enclosed the garden, which was entered through a small gate set in posts of rough masonry.

From Project Gutenberg

The clusters of furze-bushes bordered the steep sides of hollow roads in anticipation of the clusters of the hawthorn.

From Project Gutenberg

Kurt was standing at the hawthorn hedge in front of the garden with his schoolbag still slung around him.

From Project Gutenberg

"Quite true-oo," repeated the dove, perching in the hawthorn.

From Project Gutenberg