thorn in one's flesh

thorn

T t

Definitions of thorn in one's flesh words

noun thorn in one's flesh a sharp excrescence on a plant, especially a sharp-pointed aborted branch; spine; prickle. 1
noun thorn in one's flesh any of various thorny shrubs or trees, especially the hawthorns belonging to the genus Crataegus, of the rose family. 1
noun thorn in one's flesh the wood of any of these trees. 1
noun thorn in one's flesh a runic character (þ), borrowed into the Latin alphabet and representing the initial th sounds in thin and they in Old English, or thin in modern Icelandic. 1
noun thorn in one's flesh something that wounds, annoys, or causes discomfort. 1
verb with object thorn in one's flesh to prick with a thorn; vex. 1

before 900

One of the 4% oldest English words

before 900; Middle English (noun), Old English; cognate with Dutch doorn, German Dorn, Old Norse thorn, Gothic thaurnus

noun

adjective

verb

adverb

pronoun

preposition

conjunction

determiner

exclamation

A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 93% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.

Most Europeans know this English word. The frequency of it’s usage is somewhere between "mom" and "screwdriver".

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