cockspur thorn
- noun
- /ˈkɒkˌspɜr θɔrn/
- Specialized
:
espino de gallo
- Many birds enjoy the berries of the cockspur thorn.
Examples
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The cockspur thorn is often used as an ornamental tree in parks and gardens.
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The cockspur thorn is known for its sharp thorns.
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Be careful walking near a cockspur thorn; its long thorns can be quite sharp.
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In autumn, the cockspur thorn produces clusters of bright red berries.
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Be careful walking near a cockspur thorn; its long thorns can be quite sharp.
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In autumn, the cockspur thorn produces clusters of bright red berries.
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The cockspur thorn is often used as an ornamental tree in parks and gardens.
Synonyms
A small tree from eastern North America with long straight thorns and white flowers
A small tree with long sharp thorns and red fruit often planted in gardens
Surface Forms
Morphology
The noun–noun combination denotes the thorn of the cockspur plant, so the meaning is literal and directly derivable from 'cockspur' (a thorny tree) + 'thorn' (a sharp plant projection). This compositional, botanical naming pattern is straightforward and cross-linguistically common, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents would understand it.
Etymology
Cockspur thorn gets its name because its long, straight thorns look like the sharp spur on a rooster, a cock. So the name tells you it is a shrub with very sharp, spur-like thorns.
