definition of the word acanthus

From Latin acanthus < Ancient Greek ἄκανθος (akanthos) < ἀκή (akē), “‘thorn’”) + ἄνθος (anthos), “‘flower’”).

• IPA: /əˈkænθəs/

acanthus (plural acanthuses or acanthi)

1. (botany) A member of the genus Acanthus of herbaceous prickly plants with toothed leaves, (family Acanthaceae, order Scrophulariales) found in the south of Europe, Asia Minor, and India; includes bear's breech.
2. (architecture) An ornament resembling the foliage or leaves of the acanthus (Acanthus spinosus); — used in the capitals of the Corinthian and composite orders.

Definition from Wiktionary Content avaible with GNU Free Documentation License

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