[1] : The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

thistle \this"tle\, n. oe. thistil, as. thornistel; akin to
   d.  g. distel, ohg. distila, distil, icel. thornistill,
   sw. tistel, dan. tidsel; of uncertain origin. bot.
   any one of several prickly composite plants, especially those
   of the genera cnicus, craduus, and onopordon. the name
   is often also applied to other prickly plants.
   1913 webster

   blessed thistle, carduus benedictus, so named because it
      was formerly considered an antidote to the bite of
      venomous creatures.

   bull thistle, cnicus lanceolatus, the common large
      thistle of neglected pastures.

   canada thistle, cnicus arvensis, a native of europe, but
      introduced into the united states from canada.

   cotton thistle, onopordon acanthium.

   fuller's thistle, the teasel.

   globe thistle, melon thistle, etc. see under globe,
      melon, etc.

   pine thistle, atractylis gummifera, a native of the
      mediterranean region. a vicid gum resin flows from the
      involucre.

   scotch thistle, either the cotton thistle, or the musk
      thistle, or the spear thistle; -- all used national
      emblems of scotland.

   sow thistle, sonchus oleraceus.

   spear thistle. same as bull thistle.

   star thistle, a species of centaurea. see centaurea.

   torch thistle, a candelabra-shaped plant of the genus
      cereus. see cereus.

   yellow thistle, cincus horridulus.
      1913 webster

   thistle bird zool., the american goldfinch, or
      yellow-bird spinus tristis; -- so called on account of
      its feeding on the seeds of thistles. see illust. under
      goldfinch.

   thistle butterfly zool., a handsomely colored american
      butterfly vanessa cardui whose larva feeds upon
      thistles; -- called also painted lady.

   thistle cock zool., the corn bunting emberiza
      militaria. prov. eng.

   thistle crown, a gold coin of england of the reign of james
      i., worth four shillings.

   thistle finch zool., the goldfinch; -- so called from its
      fondness for thistle seeds. prov. eng.

   thistle funnel, a funnel having a bulging body and flaring
      mouth.
      1913 webster
see also:
cnicus craduus onopordon blessed thistle carduus benedictus bull thistle 
cnicus lanceolatus canada thistle cnicus arvensis cotton thistle onopordon acanthium 
fuller's thistle globe thistle melon thistle globe melon 
pine thistle atractylis gummifera scotch thistle sow thistle sonchus oleraceus 
spear thistle star thistle centaurea torch thistle cereus 
yellow thistle cincus horridulus thistle bird spinus tristis goldfinch 
thistle butterfly vanessa cardui painted lady thistle cock emberiza militaria 
thistle crown thistle finch thistle funnel 

[2] : The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

torch \torch\ t^orch, n. oe. torche, f. torche a torch,
   rag, wisp, pad; probably from a derivative of l. torquere,
   tortum, to twist, because twisted like a rope; cf. f. torcher
   to rub, wipe, it. topcia a torch, torciare to wrap, twist,
   of. torse a torse. cf. torture.
   a light or luminary formed of some combustible substance, as
   of resinous wood; a large candle or flambeau, or a lamp
   giving a large, flaring flame.
   1913 webster

         they light the nuptial torch.            --milton.
   1913 webster
   1913 webster

   torch thistle. bot. see under thistle.
      1913 webster
see also:
torture torch thistle thistle 

Torch >> T Words
Torch, definition of term: Torch
torch_pag1.html

Thistle >> T Words
Thistle, definition of term: Thistle
thistle_pag1.html

Torch Song >> T Words
Torch Song, definition of term: Torch Song
torch+song_pag1.html

Scotch Thistle >> S Words
Scotch Thistle, definition of term: Scotch Thistle
scotch+thistle_pag1.html