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

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

Federal law prohibits importing any raw poultry products from China, and hawthorn fruit from China is also restricted, the authorities said.

From Seattle Times

My highlight was the daily drink, from a refreshing blueberry ginger mint limeade to cardamom and hawthorn berry tea.

From Seattle Times

The authors note that we still need high-quality clinical trials to confirm the benefits of hawthorn leaf extract in cardiovascular disease.

From Seattle Times