acanthus

2 definitions found

acanthus - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  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]

acanthus - WordNet (r) 2.1 (2005) :

  acanthus
      n 1: any plant of the genus Acanthus having large spiny leaves
           and spikes or white or purplish flowers; native to
           Mediterranean region but widely cultivated