— acanthine /euh kan"thin, -thuyn/ , adj.
/euh kan"theuhs/ , n. , pl. acanthuses, acanthi /-thuy/ .
1. any of several plants of the genus Acanthus, of the Mediterranean region, having spiny or toothed leaves and showy, white or purplish flowers. Cf. acanthus family .
2. an architectural ornament, as in the Corinthian capital, resembling the leaves of this plant.
[ 1610-20; ákanthos bear's-foot ]