sow thistle

[ sou ]

noun

1. any composite plant belonging to the genus Sonchus, especially S. oleraceus, a weed having thistlelike leaves, yellow flowers, and a milky juice.

sow thistle

/ saʊ /

noun

1. any of various plants of the Old World genus Sonchus, esp S. oleraceus, having milky juice, prickly leaves, and heads of yellow flowers: family Asteraceae (composites) Also calledmilk thistleNZpuhaNZrauriki

Word History and Origins

Origin of sow thistle¹

1200–50; Middle English sowethistel, earlier sugethistel. See sow ², thistle

Word History and Origins

Origin of sow thistle¹

C13: from sugethistel, perhaps variant of Old English thugethistel, thuthistel thowthistle, a dialect name of the sow thistle. See sow ², thistle

Example Sentences

Two species of Sow-thistle (genus Sonchus) are included among our wayside Composites.

From Project Gutenberg

The common sow-thistle (Sonchus oleraceus) grows all over the country up to an elevation of 6000 feet.

From Project Gutenberg

The Sow-thistle is considered by astrologers to be under the dominion of Venus.

From Project Gutenberg

Many grasslands have a stand of dandelions; sow thistle, wild lettuce, and ragweed were also common in some grasslands.

From Project Gutenberg

The channel had become filled with reeds, and great quantities of enormous milk or sow thistle (Sonchus oleraceous).

From Project Gutenberg