Hyper Dictionary

English Dictionary Computer Dictionary Thesaurus Dream Dictionary Medical Dictionary


Search Dictionary:  

Meaning of THORNY

Pronunciation:  'thornee

WordNet Dictionary
 
 Definition: 
  1. [adj]  having or covered with protective barbs or quills or spines or thorns etc.; "a horse with a short bristly mane"; "bristly shrubs"; "burred fruits"
  2. [adj]  bristling with perplexities; "the thorny question of states' rights"
 
 Sponsored Links: 
 
 Synonyms: armed, barbed, barbellate, briary, briery, bristled, bristly, burred, burry, difficult, hard, prickly, spiny
 

 

 

Webster's 1913 Dictionary
 
 Definition: 
\Thorn"y\, a. [Compar. {Thornier}; superl. {Thorniest}.]
[Cf. AS. [thorn]orniht.]
1. Full of thorns or spines; rough with thorns; spiny; as, a
   thorny wood; a thorny tree; a thorny crown.
2. Like a thorn or thorns; hence, figuratively, troublesome;
   vexatious; harassing; perplexing. ``The thorny point of
   bare distress.'' --Shak.
         The steep and thorny way to heaven.   --Shak.
{Thorny rest-harrow} (Bot.), rest-harrow.
{Thorny trefoil}, a prickly plant of the genus {Fagonia} ({F.
   Cretica}, etc.).
 

 

COPYRIGHT © 2000-2003 WEBNOX CORP. HOME | ABOUT HYPERDICTIONARY