thistle

[this-uhl]

noun

1. any of various prickly, composite plants having showy, purple flower heads, especially of the genera Cirsium, Carduus, or Onopordum.

2. any of various other prickly plants.

Thistle

¹

/ ˈθɪsəl /

noun

1. See Order of the Thistle

2. (sometimes not capital)

   1. the emblem of this Order

   2. membership of this Order

thistle

²

/ ˈθɪsəl /

noun

1. any of numerous plants of the genera Cirsium, Carduus , and related genera, having prickly-edged leaves, pink, purple, yellow, or white dense flower heads, and feathery hairs on the seeds: family Asteraceae (composites)

2. a thistle, or a representation of one, as the national emblem of Scotland

Other Word Forms

• thistly adjective
• thistlelike adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of Thistle¹

before 900; Middle English thistel, Old English; cognate with Dutch distel, German Distel, Old Norse thistill

Word History and Origins

Origin of Thistle¹

Old English thīstel, related to Old Saxon, Old High German thīstil, Old Norse thīstill

Example Sentences

He wears goggles to protect them from brambles and thistles.

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Researchers from the University of Cologne have found a new use for Cnicin, a substance produced in blessed thistle.

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Saturday’s tumbleweed takeover of South Jordan is not isolated, but it’s also not a fiendish plan by the invasive Russian thistle to conquer the western United States.

Read more on Seattle Times

Q: I am wondering why you do not talk more about the benefits of milk thistle for high cholesterol.

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"The fascination of glow worms for me is that they are in effect magic," says ecologist Pete Cooper, as he tramples through thistles and nettles.

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Related Words

• arrow 
• dart