thorn
thorn
θɔrn
thawrn
British pronunciation
/θˈɔːn/

Definition & Meaning of "thorn"in English

Thorn
01

a sharp part of a plant that is attached to the stem

thorn definition and meaning
example
Examples
The rose bush had long thorns along its stems, which required careful handling to avoid getting pricked.
02

something that causes irritation, difficulty, or annoyance

03

a historical Germanic letter of runic origin

What is the "thorn"?

The thorn is a letter from the Old English and Icelandic alphabets, represented by the symbol "þ" (lowercase) or "Þ" (uppercase). It is used to represent the "th" sound, as in the words "think" or "that." In Old English, the thorn was commonly used, but it eventually fell out of use as the English language evolved. Instead of using thorn, the letters "th" are now used in modern English. The thorn is significant in the study of historical linguistics, as it reflects the pronunciation and spelling practices of earlier forms of the English language, highlighting the changes that have occurred over time.

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