Emily Dickinson Lexicon

THIS'TLE, n. [this'l; Sax. thistel; G. and D. distel; Sw. tistel.]

The common name of numerous prickly plants of the class Syngenesia, and several genera; as the common corn thistle, or Canada thistle; the spear thistle; the milk thistle, of the genus Carduus; the blessed thistle, of the genus Centaurea; the globe thistle, of the genus Echinops; the cotton thistle, of the genus Onopordon; and the sow thistle, of the genus Sonchus. The name is also given to other prickly plants not of the class Syngenesia; as the fuller's thistle or teasel, of the genus Dipsacus, and the melon thistle, and torch thistle, of the genus Melocactus. Lee. Bigelow. One species of thistle (Carduus arvensis,) grows in fields among grain, and is extremely troublesome to farmers. It is called in America the Canada thistle, as it first appeared in Canada, where it was probably introduced from France, as it abounds in Normandy, and also in England. A larger species in America (Carduus lanceolatus,) is indigenous, but it spreads slowly and gives no trouble. Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee. Gen iii.