acanthus

(ə kan′t̸həs)

any of a genus (Acanthus) of thistlelike plants of the acanthus family with lobed, often spiny leaves and long spikes of white or colored flowers, found in the Mediterranean region
Archit. a motif or conventional representation of the leaf of this plant, used esp. on the capitals of Corinthian columns

Origin: ModL < L < Gr akanthos: see acantho-

adjective

designating a family (Acanthaceae, order Scrophulariales) of dicotyledonous plants, including bear's-breech

See acanthus in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun pl. a·can·thus·es or a·can·thi (-thīˌ)

Any of various perennial herbs or small shrubs of the genus Acanthus, native to the Mediterranean and having pinnately lobed basal leaves with spiny margins and showy spikes of white or purplish flowers. Also called bear's breech.
Architecture A design patterned after the leaves of one of these plants, used especially on the capitals of Corinthian columns.

Origin:

Origin: New Latin Acanthus, genus name

Origin: , from Greek akanthos, thorn plant

Origin: , from akantha, thorn

Related Forms: