Acanthus

2 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Acanthus \A*can"thus\, n.; pl. E. {Acanthuses}, L. {Acanthi}.
     [L., from Gr. ?. Cf. {Acantha}.]
     [1913 Webster]
     1. (Bot.) A genus of herbaceous prickly plants, found in the
        south of Europe, Asia Minor, and India; bear's-breech.
        [1913 Webster]


  
     2. (Arch.) An ornament resembling the foliage or leaves of
        the acanthus ({Acanthus spinosus}); -- used in the
        capitals of the Corinthian and Composite orders.
        [1913 Webster]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  acanthus
       n : any plant of the genus Acanthus having large spiny leaves
           and spikes or white or purplish flowers; native to
           Mediterranean region but widely cultivated
       [also: {acanthi} (pl)]