thorny

Etymology

From Middle English thorny, þorny, þorni, from Old English þorniġ (“full of thorns; thorny”), from Proto-Germanic *þurnugaz (“thorny”), equivalent to thorn +‎ -y. Cognate with Dutch doornig (“thorny”), German dornig (“thorny”).

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /ˈθɔːni/
• (US) IPA^(key): /ˈθɔɹni/
• Rhymes: -ɔː(ɹ)ni

Adjective

thorny (comparative thornier, superlative thorniest)

1. having thorns or spines
2. troublesome or vexatious
   • Shakespeare

     the steep and thorny way to heaven

3. aloof and irritable
   • Louisa May Alcott, Good Wives

     'Come, Jo, don't be thorny. After studying himself to a skeleton all the week, a fellow deserves petting, and ought to get it.'

Anagrams

• rhyton