(thorns)
1.
Thorns are the sharp points on some plants and trees, for example on a rose bush.
N-COUNT
2.
A thorn or a thorn bush or a thorn tree is a bush or tree which has a lot of thorns on it.
...the shade of a thorn bush.
N-VAR
3.
If you describe someone or something as a thorn in your side or a thorn in your flesh, you mean that they are a continuous problem to you or annoy you.
The Party was a thorn in the flesh of his coalition.
PHRASE: v-link PHR