hook-thorn, noun

Forms:
Also with initial capital.
Origin:
Translation of South African Dutch haakdoorn.
haakdoring sense 1. Also attributive.
1822 W.J. Burchell Trav. I. 336The Hook-thorn (Acacia detinens) before described, was found growing here.
1846 R. Moffat Missionary Labours 98They are sometimes hedged into a fold made of hook-thorn bushes.
1937 C.R. Prance Tante Rebella’s Saga 86Up a..narrow track beset with ‘hook-thorn’, ‘hook-and-stab’, and ‘cat-claw bush’.
1960 U. Krige (tr. of J. van Melle) in D. Wright S. Afr. Stories 132Stretches of blue hookthorn straddled the slopes.
1983 K.C. Palgrave Trees of Sn Afr. 233Acacia caffra,..common hook-thorn.
1990 [see sweet thorn].
haakdoring sense 1. Also attributive.
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18221983