Thorn Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
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thorn
thorn
Definitions
plant anatomy
A sharp pointed part on a stem or leaf of a plant, typically a modified leaf or stipule.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- The rose bush was covered in thorns, making it difficult to prune.
- Be careful not to get pricked by the thorns on the cactus.
medieval writing
A letter in the Old English, Old Norse, and Icelandic alphabets, representing the sound of 'th', often written as þ or Þ.
Examples of usage
- The word 'thorn' is derived from the Old English letter thorn.
- In Old Norse, the thorn letter was used to represent the 'th' sound in words.
Translations
To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.
Quick facts about “thorn”
Thorn is a 1-syllable noun. It is pronounced /ˈθɔɹn/ in American English and /θˈɔːn/ in British English. On finesentence.com it has 2 meanings, 3 synonyms, and translations into 21 languages. It ranks #14,060 among the most common English words.
Origin of 'thorn'
The word 'thorn' has a rich history, originating from Old English 'þorn', which was derived from the Proto-Germanic 'thurnuz'. Thorns have been symbolically associated with protection, defense, and the harshness of nature. In medieval times, the thorn letter was used in Old English, Old Norse, and Icelandic scripts to represent the 'th' sound. Over time, the meaning of 'thorn' has evolved to include both the plant anatomy and the letter in ancient alphabets.
See also: thorny.