hawthorn
hawthorn Lexical Profile
hawthorn Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A thorny shrub or small tree of the rose family native to temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere, characterized by lobed leaves, clusters of white or pink spring flowers, and small red fruits.
"The farmers planted a thick hedge of hawthorn to keep the livestock securely in the pasture."
The exceptionally hard, densely grained wood of the hawthorn tree, traditionally used to craft tool handles, engravings, and walking sticks.
"The old traveler leaned heavily on a sturdy cane carved from polished hawthorn."
Word Origin & Etymology
From Old English 'haguthorn', where 'hagu' (related to haw and hedge) means an enclosure or hedge, and 'thorn' refers to its prickly branches, reflecting its historical and widespread use as a boundary hedge plant.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.