Word
thistle
Phoneticsthis·tle
US/ˈθɪsəɫ/
UK/θˈɪsəl/
Definition
n. a wild plant with sharp, prickly leaves and purple flowers. It is the national symbol of Scotland.
n. any of various prickly composite plants, especially of the genera Cirsium or Carduus, characterized by leaves with sharp spines and dense flower heads.
Examples
“Be careful not to touch the thistle because it is very prickly.”
“The hiker accidentally brushed against a tall thistle and felt the sharp spines through his trousers.”
“In the neglected corner of the garden, a solitary thistle rose above the weeds, its vibrant purple crown contrasting sharply with its formidable, jagged foliage.”
Examples
simple
“Be careful not to touch the thistle because it is very prickly.”
contextual
“The hiker accidentally brushed against a tall thistle and felt the sharp spines through his trousers.”
complex
“In the neglected corner of the garden, a solitary thistle rose above the weeds, its vibrant purple crown contrasting sharply with its formidable, jagged foliage.”
Usage
Often used symbolically in heraldry or literature to represent Scotland or resilience.
Real-World Examples
“Perennials, such as dandelions, field bindweed , ground ivy and thistles all survive the winter by storing energy reserves in deep taproots or horizontal rhizomes.” Scan code
englishreference.com/q/thistle