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. 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

Thistle

²

/ ˈθɪsəl /

noun

1. See Order of the Thistle
2. sometimes not capital
   1. the emblem of this Order
   2. membership of this Order

Derived Forms

• ˈthistly, adjective

Other Words From

• thistle·like 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

Grant Scott's Hibs won 4-1 away to Thistle on Sunday and Aberdeen, with recently appointed boss Scott Booth in charge, also won on the road, 3-1 against Boroughmuir.

From BBC

Rangers, who beat Partick Thistle 4-1 in last season's final, had the biggest quarter-final win with Jo Potter's side defeating hosts Motherwell 8-1.

From BBC

Players and staff at Inverness Caledonian Thistle are expected to learn about their future at the club later.

From BBC

BDO said it was working to secure Caley Thistle's "long term future".

From BBC

Duncan Ferguson has been sacked as the manager of Inverness Caledonian Thistle.

From BBC

Related Words

• arrow
• dart