maythorn

IPA/mˈeɪθɔːn/
IPA/mˈeɪθɔːɹn/

maythorn — noun

1. an older, mostly literary name for the hawthorn — a small thorny tree or shrub w

1.名詞C2
釋義

an older, mostly literary name for the hawthorn — a small thorny tree or shrub with white spring blossom, often planted in country hedges across the British Isles.

例句

Tara walked past the old maythorn in the churchyard, its branches white with May blossom.

the maythorn used with definite article for a specific tree

Otis trimmed the maythorn hedge along the back fence before the bees arrived.

collocation: maythorn hedge

同義詞
  • hawthorn

    the standard modern term; 'maythorn' is the older, literary or regional variant

  • May tree

    another folk name, emphasising the May flowering season

  • whitethorn

    British regional name highlighting the white blossom; close synonym

文法句型

the maythorn

a maythorn (hedge / bush / tree)

用法筆記

Older, mostly poetic alternative for 'hawthorn'; modern writers use 'hawthorn' or 'May tree' in everyday prose. Often appears in folklore, rural, or historical contexts.

常見錯誤

❌I love the smell of maythorns in spring.
✅I love the smell of maythorn in spring.
💡usually used as an uncountable mass when referring to the blossom or the plant in general; the plural 'maythorns' is rare.