thorn
UK: θɔːn | US: θɔːrn
n. a sharp, pointed spine or prickle on a plant
n. something that causes irritation or difficulty (metaphorical)
n. the Old English runic letter "þ" (historical usage)
The word "thorn" traces back directly to Old English þorn, meaning a sharp projection on a plant. It shares roots with Proto-Germanic þurnuz and is related to Dutch doorn and German Dorn. The word has retained its core meaning of a physical spike while also gaining metaphorical uses (e.g., "a thorn in one's side"). Notably, it also represented the runic letter "þ" (thorn) in Old English, which stood for the "th" sound.
The rose bush is beautiful but covered in thorns.
His stubbornness became a thorn in the team’s progress.
In Old English manuscripts, the letter "þ" (thorn) was commonly used.
She carefully avoided the thorns while picking blackberries.
The cactus has tiny, nearly invisible thorns.