Acanthus

Pronunciation

• RP IPA: /əˈkæn.θəs/
• US IPA: /əˈkæn.θəs/
• Rhymes: -ænθəs

Origin

From Latin acanthus, from Ancient Greek ἄκανθος, from ἀκή (akē, "thorn") + ἄνθος (anthos, "flower").

MW3 1976

SOED5

Full definition of acanthus

Noun

1. (botany) A member of the genus Acanthus of herbaceous prickly plants with toothed leaves, (family Acanthaceae, order ) found in the south of Europe, Asia Minor, and India.First attested in the mid 16th century.
2. (architecture) An ornament resembling the foliage or leaves of used in the capitals of the Corinthian and composite orders.First attested in the mid 18th century.

Synonyms

• (a member of Acanthus) bear's breech, bear's breeches, bear's-breech rare