thorn

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thorn sharp-pointed process on a plant; thornbearing plant. OE. þorn = OS. thorn (Du. doorn), (O)HG. dorn, ON. þorn, Goth. þaurnus :- Gmc. þurnuz :- IE. *tṛnus, f. *tṛn- tern-, repr. also by OIr. tráinín small stalk of grass, OSl. trŭnŭ thorn, Skr. tṛ́ṇa- grass-stalk, Gr. térnax cactus prickle.
Hence thorny (-Y1) OE. þorniġ.

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