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.
an architectural ornament, as in the Corinthian capital, resembling the leaves of this plant.
Origin of acanthus
1610–20; < New Latin,Latin < Greekákanthos bear's-foot
Related formsa·can·thine[uh-kan-thin, -thahyn]/əˈkæn θɪn, -θaɪn/, adjective
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 AcanthaceaeSee also bear's-breech
a carved ornament based on the leaves of the acanthus plant, esp as used on the capital of a Corinthian column
Word Origin for acanthus
C17: New Latin, from Greek akanthos, from akantha thorn, spine
1660s, from Latin acanthus, from Greek akanthos, from ake "point, thorn" (see acrid) + anthos "flower" (see anther). So called for its large spiny leaves. A conventionalized form of the leaf is used in Corinthian capitals.
