Illustration of thistle
thistle
noun
this·tle ˈthi-səl 
: any of various prickly composite plants (especially genera Carduus, Cirsium, and Onopordum) with often showy heads of mostly tubular flowers
also : any of various other prickly plants
thistly
ˈthi-s(ə-)lē
adjective 
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web As the royals have always done, Queen Camilla honored her locale with her jewelry, wearing the Diamond Thistle Brooch (the thistle is the national flower of Scotland), which belonged to the Queen Mother. 
Leena Kim, Town & Country, 14 Sep. 2022 While attending a prayer service at St. Giles' Cathedral in Edinburgh, Scotland, in honor of the late Queen, the new Queen Consort, 75, was pictured wearing a diamond thistle brooch affixed to her otherwise all-black ensemble. Jen Juneau, Peoplemag, 12 Sep. 2022 Ground feeders, such as Duncraft’s Eco-Strong ground platform feeder ($59.95, duncraft.com), can attract sparrows, doves and other birds that are less likely to sit on a hopper or thistle feeder, Swick says. Lindsey M. Roberts, Washington Post, 28 July 2022 The piece was silver and featured a purple amethyst atop the thistle. Rosa Sanchez, Harper's BAZAAR, 28 June 2022 Rescue grass, bedstraw, dandelions, thistle, henbit and annual bluegrass are common. Calvin Finch, San Antonio Express-News, 22 Apr. 2022 Most of us do not invite the thistle or broom or leafless milkweed into our gardens. Claire Vaye Watkins, Outside Online, 15 May 2017 Remove invasive plants such as butterfly bush, Himalayan blackberry, ivy, mullein, thistle and tree of heaven. oregonlive, 31 Mar. 2022 Go the pastel route with soft lilacs, buttery popcorn yellows, or blue thistle for a more soothing visual. Talia Abbas, Glamour, 1 Mar. 2022 See More
Leena Kim, Town & Country, 14 Sep. 2022 While attending a prayer service at St. Giles' Cathedral in Edinburgh, Scotland, in honor of the late Queen, the new Queen Consort, 75, was pictured wearing a diamond thistle brooch affixed to her otherwise all-black ensemble. Jen Juneau, Peoplemag, 12 Sep. 2022 Ground feeders, such as Duncraft’s Eco-Strong ground platform feeder ($59.95, duncraft.com), can attract sparrows, doves and other birds that are less likely to sit on a hopper or thistle feeder, Swick says. Lindsey M. Roberts, Washington Post, 28 July 2022 The piece was silver and featured a purple amethyst atop the thistle. Rosa Sanchez, Harper's BAZAAR, 28 June 2022 Rescue grass, bedstraw, dandelions, thistle, henbit and annual bluegrass are common. Calvin Finch, San Antonio Express-News, 22 Apr. 2022 Most of us do not invite the thistle or broom or leafless milkweed into our gardens. Claire Vaye Watkins, Outside Online, 15 May 2017 Remove invasive plants such as butterfly bush, Himalayan blackberry, ivy, mullein, thistle and tree of heaven. oregonlive, 31 Mar. 2022 Go the pastel route with soft lilacs, buttery popcorn yellows, or blue thistle for a more soothing visual. Talia Abbas, Glamour, 1 Mar. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English thistel, from Old English; akin to Old High German distill thistle
First Known Use
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above
Phrases Containing thistle
Kids Definition
thistle
noun
this·tle ˈthi-səl
: a prickly plant that has usually purplish often showy heads of flowers