Definition of Thistle
1. Noun. Any of numerous plants of the family Compositae and especially of the genera Carduus and Cirsium and Onopordum having prickly-edged leaves.
Group relationships: Aster Family,
Asteraceae,
Compositae,
Family Asteraceae,
Family CompositaeSpecialized synonyms: Carduus Crispus,
Welted Thistle,
Carduus Nutans,
Musk Thistle,
Nodding Thistle,
Carline Thistle,
Plume Thistle,
Plumed Thistle,
Cirsium Discolor,
Field Thistle,
Cirsium Helenioides,
Cirsium Heterophylum,
Melancholy Thistle,
Blessed Thistle,
Cnicus Benedictus,
Sweet Sultan,
Cotton Thistle,
Onopordon Acanthium,
Onopordum Acanthium,
Scotch Thistle,
Woolly Thistle,
Golden ThistleGeneric synonyms: Weed
Definition of Thistle
1. n. 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.
Definition of Thistle
1. a prickly plant [n -S]
Medical Definition of Thistle
1.
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, etc. See Globe, Melon, etc. 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, the goldfinch; so called from its fondness for thistle seeds. Thistle funnel, a funnel having a bulging body and flaring mouth.
Origin: OE. Thistil, AS. Thistel; akin to D. & G. Distel, OHG. Distila, distil, Icel. Thistill, Sw. Tistel, Dan. Tidsel; of uncertain origin.
Source: Websters Dictionary
(01 Mar 1998)
Lexicographical Neighbors of Thistle
Other Resources:
Ido