acanthus

[ uh-kan-thuhs ]

noun

, plural a·can·thus·es, a·can·thi [uh, -, kan, -thahy].

1. any of several plants of the genus Acanthus, of the Mediterranean region, having spiny or toothed leaves and showy, white or purplish flowers. Compare acanthus family.
2. an architectural ornament, as in the Corinthian capital, resembling the leaves of this plant.

acanthus

/ əˈkænθəs /

noun

1. any shrub or herbaceous plant of the genus Acanthus, native to the Mediterranean region but widely cultivated as ornamental plants, having large spiny leaves and spikes of white or purplish flowers: family Acanthaceae See also bear's-breech
2. a carved ornament based on the leaves of the acanthus plant, esp as used on the capital of a Corinthian column

Other Words From

• a·can·thine [uh, -, kan, -thin, -thahyn], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of acanthus¹

1610–20; < New Latin, Latin < Greek ákanthos bear's-foot

Word History and Origins

Origin of acanthus¹

C17: New Latin, from Greek akanthos, from akantha thorn, spine

Example Sentences

This basket happened to be placed just above the root of an acanthus.

From Project Gutenberg

The legs are boldly carved with the acanthus leaf, and everything about the piano is as elegant as possible.

From Project Gutenberg

It has a greater resemblance to the acanthus plant than it has to any solar disk imaginable.

From Project Gutenberg

The tamarisk appears afterwards to have given the idea of a subdivision of leaf more pure and quaint than that of the acanthus.

From Project Gutenberg

The capitals are formed by the semi-Gothic classical acanthus leaves of the period.

From Project Gutenberg