Acanthuses

1 definition 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.
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