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# thorn

noun (a thorn, thorns)

«thorn» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. A thorn is a sharp, pointed part on the stem of a plant like a rose or bramble. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/thorn/#m1)
2. A thorn is a plant or bush with thorns, like a hawthorn. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/thorn/#m2)
3. «A thorn in your side» means a person or thing that keeps annoying or troubling you. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/thorn/#m3)

### In the lessons

In science, thorns protect plants from being eaten by animals. In safety, thorns can scratch, and gardening gloves help. In stories and fairy tales, like Sleeping Beauty, a forest of thorns keeps people out. Phrases: «a thorn in my side», «every rose has its thorn», «thorn bush».

### Examples

- I pricked my finger on a rose thorn. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/thorn/#x1)
- The thorns protect the plant from goats. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/thorn/#x2)
- Wear gloves when you pick blackberries because of the thorns. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/thorn/#x3)
- A thorn got stuck in the dog's paw. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/thorn/#x4)
- The castle was hidden behind a wall of thorns. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/thorn/#x5)
- The hawthorn tree has long thorns. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/thorn/#x6)
- That noisy neighbour is a thorn in my side. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/thorn/#x7)
- Mum pulled the thorn out with tweezers. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/thorn/#x8)
- A LION, roaming through a forest, trod upon a thorn. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/thorn/#x9)

### Note

Countable: a thorn, thorns. Strictly, botanists say roses have «prickles», not true thorns, but in everyday English «thorn» is fine. Do not confuse with «torn» (ripped) or «throne» (a king's chair).

## In Jewish tradition

A sharp, pointed part of a plant, or a bush that has them. The Song of Songs compares a beloved to a lily among thorns, and the prophets use thorns for land left wild and ruined. In the primary lessons: In science, thorns protect plants from being eaten by animals. In safety, thorns can scratch, and gardening gloves help. In stories and fairy tales, like Sleeping Beauty, a forest of thorns keeps people out. Phrases: «a thorn in my side», «every rose has its thorn», «thorn bush».

### Examples

- If fire break out, and catch in thorns, so that the shocks of corn, or the standing corn, or the field are consumed; he that kindled the fire shall surely make restitution. (Torah EXO.22.6, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/T/thorn/#x1)
- As a lily among thorns, so is my love among the daughters. (Writings SNG.2.2, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/T/thorn/#x2)
- Fury is not in Me; would that I were as the briers and thorns in flame! (Prophets ISA.27.4, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/T/thorn/#x3)
- With arrows and with bow shall one come thither; because all the land shall become briers and thorns. (Prophets ISA.7.24, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/T/thorn/#x4)

### Note

Countable: a thorn, thorns. Strictly, botanists say roses have «prickles», not true thorns, but in everyday English «thorn» is fine. Do not confuse with «torn» (ripped) or «throne» (a king's chair).

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «thorn» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/thorn/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«thorn» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/thorn.html) on Mova free.
- [Trees and pragmatics of «thorn» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/T/thorn/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«thorn» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/thorn.html) on Mova free.