• IPA: /θɪsl̩/

thistle (plural thistles)

1. Any of several perennial composite plants, especially of genera ll mul, ll mul, ll mul, or ll mul, having prickly leaves and showy flower heads with prickly bracts.
   • 1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), imprinted at London: By Robert Barker, […], OCLC 964384981 ↗:

     , Genesis 3:18:

     Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field [...].

2. This plant seen as the national emblem of Scotland.
3. (heraldiccharge) This plant used as a charge.
4. The Order of the Thistle, or membership thereof.
   • 1978, Lawrence Durrell, Livia, Faber & Faber 1992 (Avignon Quintet), p. 324:

     Here's a passage which will please you: ‘It is said that when rich he twice refused the thistle.’

• French: chardon
• German: Distel
• Italian: cardo
• Portuguese: cardo
• Russian: чертополо́х
• Spanish: cardo

1. Surname