Thistle /(?)/
This·tle
Thistle
n.
- 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. (Bot.)
Phrases & Compounds
- 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
- 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
- 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
- a handsomely colored American butterfly (Vanessa cardui) whose larva feeds upon thistles; -- called also painted lady.
- Thistle cock
- the corn bunting (Emberiza militaria).
- Thistle crown
- a gold coin of England of the reign of James I., worth four shillings.
- Thistle finch
- the goldfinch; -- so called from its fondness for thistle seeds.
- Thistle funnel
- a funnel having a bulging body and flaring mouth.