Order of the Thistle

British

noun

Also called: the Thistle. an ancient Scottish order of knighthood revived by James VII of Scotland in 1687. It consists of the sovereign, 16 knights brethren, and extra members created by statute. It is the equivalent of the Order of the Garter, and is usually conferred on Scots

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

Order of the Thistle

A dramatic image of her in the countryside at Balmoral taken by Julian Calder in 2010 shows her wearing the mantle of the Order of the Thistle and was inspired by paintings of clan chiefs.

From BBC ● Feb. 28, 2025

St Giles Cathedral in Edinburgh, which hosts the Order of the Thistle service, says the honour is "traditionally given to Scots or people of Scots ancestry".

From BBC ● Jun. 16, 2023

In Scotland, the Order of the Thistle was founded in 1687.

From BBC ● Jun. 12, 2022

King George in the dress uniform of Admiral of the Fleet, with the green ribbon of the Order of the Thistle, stepped out followed by Queen Elizabeth in forget-me-not blue, his two excited little daughters.

From Time Magazine Archive

He wore a cuirass of polished steel, over which were drawn the insignia of the ancient Order of the Thistle.

From Rob Roy — Volume 02 by Scott, Walter, Sir

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023