Thorn or spike on a plant (7) Crossword Clue
Answer: PRICKLE (7 letters)
The answer to the crossword clue "Thorn or spike on a plant" with 7 letters is "PRICKLE".Prickle refers to a small, sharp thorn or spike on a plant that can cause discomfort or pain when touched. It is a defensive feature in many plants to protect them from herbivores, and it often describes any prickly or spiny structure found on plants, like cacti or roses.
Why “Prickle” Fits
The clue asks for a single word (7 letters) meaning “thorn or spike on a plant.” The answer, PRICKLE, fits perfectly:
- Thorn or spike on a plant: Prickle refers to a small, sharp outgrowth or spine on the surface of a plant or animal — exactly matching the clue’s definition.
- Direct match: With seven letters, prickle fits the enumeration precisely.
- Precise meaning: The word describes one of the minor, sharp-pointed defensive structures that help protect plants or irritate touch — fitting both botanical and figurative usage.
Prickle is a descriptive and sensory word rooted in both biology and language history:
Origin and usage:
- Derived from Middle English prik, meaning “a small point or puncture,” related to pricken (to pierce).
- The suffix -le forms a diminutive, implying a small or fine spike.
- Used since the 15th century to describe sharp growths on plants and also small, sharp sensations or irritations.
Botanical context:
- A prickle differs from a true thorn or spine — unlike thorns (modified stems) or spines (modified leaves or leaf parts), prickles are superficial outgrowths of the plant’s epidermis.
- Common in plants like roses, raspberries, and brambles.
Figurative usage:
- Describes slight discomfort or irritation — “a prickle of fear,” “a prickle of emotion.”
- Evokes the sensation of tingling or stinging associated with emotional reactions.
Examples:
- “The rose stem was covered in tiny prickles.”
- “She felt a prickle of excitement all over her skin.”
- “Be careful of the bramble’s prickles when picking berries.”
In quick crosswords like “Thorn or spike on a plant (7),” clues about natural objects are often simple descriptions of common physical features:
Definition: The entire phrase “thorn or spike on a plant” defines prickle exactly.
Clue type: Straightforward definition — no cryptic manipulation or secondary meaning.
Solving approach:
- Look for botanical features or natural terms referring to sharp points — thorn, spine, barb, prickle.
- The (7) enumeration narrows the choice, with prickle being the only exact match that fits both format and meaning.
Crossword pattern: Natural science and botanical clues often use descriptive language rather than technical terms, leading to familiar answers like prickle, thorn, spine, and needle.
