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Thistle - Meaning, Definition & English Examples

A thistle is a prickly plant with purple or pink flowers, often found in dry areas. It is known for its sharp leaves and is the national emblem of Scotland.

thistle

/ˈθɪsəl/ /ˈθɪsəl/

Definition:

A prickly plant with purple flowers, often considered a weed.

Synonyms:

weed, bramble, nettle, burr

Part of Speech:

noun

Antonyms:

flower, rose

Common Collocations:

thistle down, thistle patch, Scottish thistle

Derivatives:

thistly, thistledown

Usage Tips:

Use "thistle" to describe a spiky plant; often symbolizes resilience in literature.

Common Phrases:

grasp the thistle, thistle and shamrock, prickly as a thistle

Etymology:

From Old English "þistel," related to German "Distel," meaning a prickly plant.

Examples:

  • 1. The thistle grew wild in the field.
  • 2. She carefully avoided the sharp thistle while walking.
  • 3. The Scottish national emblem is the thistle.
  • 4. Bees buzzed around the purple thistle flowers.

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