Word Study
hawthorn
CIDE DICTIONARY
A thorny shrub or tree (the Cratægus oxyacantha ), having deeply lobed, shining leaves, small, roselike, fragrant flowers, and a fruit called haw . It is much used in Europe for hedges, and for standards in gardens. The American hawthorn is Cratægus cordata , which has the leaves but little lobed. [1913 Webster]
"Gives not the hawthorn bush a sweeter shade
To shepherds?" [1913 Webster]
To shepherds?" [1913 Webster]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
hawthorn, n. any thorny shrub or tree of the genus Crataegus, esp. C. monogyna, with white, red, or pink blossom and small dark-red fruit or haws.
Etymology
OE hagathorn (as HAW(1), THORN)
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