Dictionary
Thesaurus
Encyclopedia
Translator
Web
 
Help
Related Searches
Synonyms
Nearby Words

thorn in one's flesh

 - 4 dictionary results

thorn

  [thawrn]
Use thorn in one's flesh in a Sentence
–noun
1. a sharp excrescence on a plant, esp. a sharp-pointed aborted branch; spine; prickle.
2. any of various thorny shrubs or trees, esp. the hawthorns belonging to the genus Crataegus, of the rose family.
3. the wood of any of these trees.
4. a runic character (þ), borrowed into the Latin alphabet and representing the initial th sounds in thin and they in Old English, or thin in modern Icelandic.
5. something that wounds, annoys, or causes discomfort.
–verb (used with object)
6. to prick with a thorn; vex.
—Idiom
7. thorn in one's side or flesh, a source of continual irritation or suffering: That child is a thorn in the teacher's side.
Origin:
bef. 900; ME (n.), OE; c. D doorn, G Dorn, ON thorn, Goth thaurnus

Related forms:
thornless, adjective
thornlike, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To thorn in one's flesh
Word Origin & History

thorn 
O.E. þorn "sharp point on a stem or branch," earlier "thorny tree or plant," from P.Gmc. *thurnuz (cf. O.S. thorn, Du. doorn, O.H.G. dorn, Ger. Dorn, O.N. þorn, Goth. þaurnus), from PIE *trnus (cf. O.C.S. trunu "thorn," Skt. trnam "blade of grass," Gk. ternax "stalk of the cactus," Ir. trainin "blade of grass"), from *(s)ter-n- "thorny plant," from base *ster- "stiff." Fig. sense of "anything which causes pain" is recorded from c.1230 (thorn in the flesh is from II Cor. xii.7). Also an O.E. and Icelandic runic letter (þ), named for the word of which it was the initial. Thorny is O.E. þornig; fig. sense is attested from c.1340.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
Science Dictionary
thorn   (thôrn)  Pronunciation Key 
A short, hard, pointed part of a stem or branch of a woody plant. Compare spine.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Idioms & Phrases

thorn in one's flesh

Also, thorn in one's side. A constant source of irritation, as in Paul's complaining and whining are a thorn in my flesh, or Mother's always comparing us childrenit's a thorn in our sides. This metaphoric expression appears twice in the Bible. In Judges 2:3 it is enemies that "shall be as thorns in your sides"; in II Corinthians 12:7 Paul says his infirmities are "given to me a thorn in the flesh."

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
Cite This Source
Search another word or see thorn in one's flesh on Thesaurus | Reference
FacebookTwitterFollow us:
Partner Sites:
Ask AnswersEviteExpediaHotelsHotwireLife123LiveDailyMy Way