Thistle word meaning and definition

[noun] any of numerous plants of the family Compositae and especially of the genera Carduus and Cirsium and Onopordum having prickly-edged leaves

\This"tle\, n. [OE. thistil, AS. [thorn]istel; akin to D. & G. distel, OHG. distila, distil, Icel. [thorn]istill, Sw. tistel, Dan. tidsel; of uncertain origin.] (Bot.) Any one of several prickly composite plants, especially those of the genera {Cnicus}, {Craduus}, and {Onopordon}. The name is often also applied to other prickly plants. {Blessed thistle}, {Carduus benedictus}, so named because it was formerly considered an antidote to the bite of venomous creatures. {Bull thistle}, {Cnicus lanceolatus}, the common large thistle of neglected pastures. {Canada thistle}, {Cnicus arvensis}, a native of Europe, but introduced into the United States from Canada. {Cotton thistle}, {Onopordon Acanthium}. {Fuller's thistle}, the teasel. {Globe thistle}, {Melon thistle}, etc. See under {Globe}, {Melon}, etc. {Pine thistle}, {Atractylis gummifera}, a native of the Mediterranean region. A vicid gum resin flows from the involucre. {Scotch thistle}, either the cotton thistle, or the musk thistle, or the spear thistle; -- all used national emblems of Scotland. {Sow thistle}, {Sonchus oleraceus}. {Spear thistle}. Same as {Bull thistle}. {Star thistle}, a species of {Centaurea}. See {Centaurea}. {Torch thistle}, a candelabra-shaped plant of the genus Cereus. See {Cereus}. {Yellow thistle}, {Cincus horridulus}. {Thistle bird} (Zo["o]l.), the American goldfinch, or yellow-bird ({Spinus tristis}); -- so called on account of its feeding on the seeds of thistles. See Illust. under {Goldfinch}. {Thistle butterfly} (Zo["o]l.), a handsomely colored American butterfly ({Vanessa cardui}) whose larva feeds upon thistles; -- called also {painted lady}. {Thistle cock} (Zo["o]l.), the corn bunting ({Emberiza militaria}). [Prov. Eng.] {Thistle crown}, a gold coin of England of the reign of James I., worth four shillings. {Thistle finch} (Zo["o]l.), the goldfinch; -- so called from its fondness for thistle seeds. [Prov. Eng.] {Thistle funnel}, a funnel having a bulging body and flaring mouth.

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