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thistle definition

this·tle (t̸his′əl)

noun

any of various plants (as genera Onopordum, Cirsium, and Cnicus) of the composite family, with prickly leaves and heads of white, purple, pink, or yellow flowers; esp., the Scotch thistle (O. acanthium) with white down and lavender flowers

Etymology: ME thistel < OE, akin to Ger distel < IE base *(s)teig-, a point > stick, Sans tiktá, sharp

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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