ALL meanings of acanthus
a·can·thus
A a - noun acanthus 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 Acanthaceae 3
- noun acanthus a carved ornament based on the leaves of the acanthus plant, esp as used on the capital of a Corinthian column 3
- noun acanthus any of a genus (Acanthus) of thistlelike plants of the acanthus family with lobed, often spiny leaves and long spikes of white or colored flowers, found in the Mediterranean region 3
- noun acanthus a motif or conventional representation of the leaf of this plant, used esp. on the capitals of Corinthian columns 3
- adjective acanthus designating a family (Acanthaceae, order Scrophulariales) of dicotyledonous plants, including bear's-breech 3
- noun acanthus A herbaceous plant or shrub with bold flower spikes and spiny decorative leaves, native to Mediterranean regions. 1
- noun plural acanthus 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. 1
- noun plural acanthus an architectural ornament, as in the Corinthian capital, resembling the leaves of this plant. 1
- noun acanthus spiky flowering shrub 1
- noun acanthus A member of the genus Acanthus of herbaceous prickly plants with toothed leaves, (family Acanthaceae, order Scrophulariales) found in the south of Europe, Asia Minor, and India. 0
- noun acanthus (architecture) An ornament resembling the foliage or leaves of Acanthus spinosus used in the capitals of the Corinthian and composite orders. 0