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• crown of thorns
  crown of thorns

  noun

  a succulent flowering plant, Euphorbia milii, of the spurge family, with densely spiny stems that climb and scramble over other vegetation: native to Madagascar, the species and its numerous varieties are widely cultivated for gardens and as houseplants.
• crown-of-thorns
  crown-of-thorns

  noun

  a starfish, Acanthaster planci, that has a spiny test and feeds on living coral in coral reefs

crown of thorns

American  

noun

1. a succulent flowering plant, Euphorbia milii, of the spurge family, with densely spiny stems that climb and scramble over other vegetation: native to Madagascar, the species and its numerous varieties are widely cultivated for gardens and as houseplants.

2. crown-of-thorns starfish.

3. a painful burden, as of suffering, guilt, anxiety, etc.: from the wreath of thorns placed on Jesus' head in the Bible.

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crown-of-thorns British  

noun

1. a starfish, Acanthaster planci, that has a spiny test and feeds on living coral in coral reefs

2. Also called: Christ's thorn.  a thorny euphorbiaceous Madagascan shrub, Euphorbia milii var. splendens, cultivated as a hedging shrub or pot plant, having flowers with scarlet bracts

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crown of thorns Cultural  

1. A mock crown, made from thorn branches, that Roman soldiers put on the head of Jesus before the Crucifixion. The soldiers also “bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, ‘Hail, King of the Jews (see also Jews)!’”

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In common usage, a “crown of thorns” may be anything that causes intense suffering: “The jailed political leader bears her afflictions like a crown of thorns.” Similar to the expression “cross to bear.” (See Crucifixion.)

Etymology

Origin of crown of thorns

First recorded before 950; Middle English; Old English

Example Sentences

It depicts a grieving Madonna, and would likely have been displayed facing an image of Christ wearing a crown of thorns.

From Salon • Apr. 6, 2026

Sam had six of them, including a crown of thorns, pilot wings and his fraternity symbols.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 14, 2026

ICE alleged that another individual, known as E.V., was a member of Tren de Aragua based on his tattoos—which feature “anime, flowers, and animals,” as well as a crown of thorns.

From Slate • Mar. 20, 2025

Pollution fouls its waters, and outbreaks of crown of thorns starfish have ravaged its corals.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 16, 2022

The Virgin Mary is showing her heart and it would be a pleasant heart if it didn’t have that crown of thorns.

From "Angela's Ashes: A Memoir" by Frank McCourt