thorn
n
1 [C] sharp pointed growth on the stem of a plant (植物的)刺, 棘刺
The thorns on the roses scratched her hands. 玫瑰上的刺把她的手划了. =>illus at App 1 见附录1插图, page ii.
2 [C, U] (usu in compounds 通常用以构成复合词) thorny tree or shrub 带刺的树; 荆棘: `hawthorn 山楂
`blackthorn 黑刺李 * [attrib 作定语]
a thorn hedge 荆刺树篱.
3 (idm 习语) a thorn in one's flesh/side person or thing that continually annoys or hinders one 不断惹人烦恼或造成妨碍的人或事物
He's been a thorn in my side ever since he joined this department. 他自从到了这个部门就总让我不得安生.
Has it got anything to do with your present research?
报告跟你目前的研究有关吗?
They had to work inside the ship, cutting away old metal, fixing new metal plates, drilling holes, laying electrical and phone wires and fixing new pipes for water and steam.