Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Thistle
This′tle
,Noun.
[OE.
thistil
, AS. þistel
; akin to D. & G. distel
, OHG. distila
, distil
, Icel. þistill
, Sw. tistel
, Dan. tidsel
; of uncertain origin.] (Bot.)
Any one of several prickly composite plants, especially those of the genera
Cnicus
, Craduus
, and Onopordon
. The name is often also applied to other prickly plants. Blessed thistle
, Carduus benedictus
, so named because it was formerly considered an antidote to the bite of venomous creatures. Bull thistle
, Cnicus lanceolatus
, the common large thistle of neglected pastures. Canada thistle
, Cnicus arvensis
, a native of Europe, but introduced into the United States from Canada. Cotton thistle
, Onopordon Acanthium
. Fuller’s thistle
, the teasel.
– Globe thistle
, Melon thistle
Pine thistle
, Atractylis gummifera
, a native of the Mediterranean region. A vicid gum resin flows from the involucre. Scotch thistle
, either the cotton thistle, or the musk thistle, or the spear thistle; – all used national emblems of Scotland.
– Sow thistle
, Sonchus oleraceus
. Spear thistle
. Same as
– Bull thistle
. Star thistle
, a species of
– Centaurea
. See Centaurea
. Torch thistle
, a candelabra-shaped plant of the genus Cereus. See
– Cereus
. Yellow thistle
, Cincus horridulus
.Thistle bird
(Zool.)
, the American goldfinch, or yellow-bird (
– Spinus tristis
); – so called on account of its feeding on the seeds of thistles. See Illust. under Goldfinch
. Thistle butterfly
(Zool.)
, a handsomely colored American butterfly (
– Vanessa cardui
) whose larva feeds upon thistles; – called also painted lady
. Thistle cock
(Zool.)
, the corn bunting (
Emberiza militaria
). [Prov. Eng.]
– Thistle crown
, a gold coin of England of the reign of James I., worth four shillings.
– Thistle finch
(Zool.)
, the goldfinch; – so called from its fondness for thistle seeds.
[Prov. Eng.]
– Thistle funnel
, a funnel having a bulging body and flaring mouth.
Webster 1828 Edition
Thistle
THISTLE
,Noun.
One species of thistle, (Cnicus arvensis,) grows in fields among grain, and is extremely troublesome to farmers. It is called in America the Canada thistle, as it first appeared in Canada, where it was probably introduced from France, as it abounds in Normandy, and also in England. A larger species in America (Cnicus lanceolatus,) is indigenous, but it spreads slowly and gives no trouble.
Thorns also and thistles shall it bring froth to thee. Gen.3.
Definition 2024
thistle
thistle
English
Noun
thistle (plural thistles)
- Any of several perennial composite plants, especially of genera Cirsium, Carduus, Cynara or Onopordum, having prickly leaves and showy flower heads with prickly bracts.
- 1611, Bible (KJV):, Genesis 3:18:
- Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field [...].
- 1611, Bible (KJV):, Genesis 3:18:
- This plant seen as the national emblem of Scotland.
- The Order of the Thistle, or membership thereof.
- 1978, Lawrence Durrell, Livia, Faber & Faber 1992 (Avignon Quintet), p. 324:
- Here's a passage which will please you: ‘It is said that when rich he twice refused the thistle.’
- 1978, Lawrence Durrell, Livia, Faber & Faber 1992 (Avignon Quintet), p. 324:
Derived terms
Terms derived from thistle
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Translations
plant
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References
- thistle in The Century Dictionary, The Century Co., New York, 1911
- thistle in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913