hawthorn

[ haw-thawrn ]

noun

1. any of numerous plants belonging to the genus Crataegus, of the rose family, typically a small tree with stiff thorns, certain North American species of which have white or pink blossoms and bright-colored fruits and are cultivated in hedges.

hawthorn

/ ˈhɔːˌθɔːn /

noun

1. any of various thorny trees or shrubs of the N temperate rosaceous genus Crataegus, esp C. oxyacantha, having white or pink flowers and reddish fruits (haws) Also called (in Britain)maymay treemayflower

Other Words From

• hawthorny adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of hawthorn¹

before 900; Middle English; Old English haguthorn, cognate with Middle Dutch hagedorn, Middle High German hagendorn, Old Norse hagthorn. See haw ³, thorn

Word History and Origins

Origin of hawthorn¹

Old English haguthorn from haga hedge + thorn thorn; related to Old Norse hagthorn, Middle High German hagendorn, Dutch haagdoorn

Example Sentences

There is little diversity on the majority of the 146-acre land, with nearly all fields grazed by sheep, but there are some wetter areas and some hedgerows of blackthorn, hawthorn, hazel, oak, gorse and holly.

From BBC

Laura Stokes, 33, from Hawthorn in Pontypridd, likes to come to the play centre with her daughter because she thinks it is different from other places around the area.

From BBC

Drawing from her own experience as a ghostwriter, Tomlinson weaves a compelling tale that follows Mari Hawthorn and the trials and tribulations she encounters as she takes on her most career-launching gig: the memoir of Anke Berben, a cunning ’60s icon who had close relations with many of the members of famous rock band The Midnight Ramblers.

From Seattle Times

As Hawthorn gets Berben to open up and reveal long-awaited secrets, a far more twisted story comes to light.

From Seattle Times

The scheme also included “duck-blood products from unapproved establishments in China,” as well as hawthorn fruit — a restricted agricultural commodity, authorities said.

From Los Angeles Times