any of numerous plants belonging to the genus Crataegus, of the rose family, typically a small tree with stiff thorns, certain North American species of which have white or pink blossoms and bright-colored fruits and are cultivated in hedges.
Origin
before 900;Middle English;Old Englishhaguthorn, cognate with Middle Dutchhagedorn,Middle High Germanhagendorn,Old Norsehagthorn. See haw3, thorn
Related forms
hawthorny, adjective
Examples from the web for hawthorn
hawthorn strengthens your heart and when it does that, your circulation improves.
There had been another frost, the perfect time to go hunting for rose hips and hawthorn berries.
British Dictionary definitions for hawthorn
hawthorn
/ˈhɔːˌθɔːn/
noun
1.
any of various thorny trees or shrubs of the N temperate rosaceous genus Crataegus, esp C. oxyacantha, having white or pink flowers and reddish fruits (haws) Also called (in Britain) may, may tree, mayflower
Word Origin
Old English haguthorn from haga hedge + thorn thorn; related to Old Norse hagthorn, Middle High German hagendorn, Dutch haagdoorn
Word Origin and History for hawthorn
n.
Old English hagaþorn, earlier hæguþorn "hawthorn, white thorn," from obsolete haw "hedge or encompassing fence" (see haw) + thorn. A common Germanic name, cf. Middle Dutch and German hagedorn, Swedish hagtorn, Old Norse hagþorn.