[ ə'kanθəs ]
■ noun
1》 a herbaceous plant or shrub with bold flower spikes and spiny decorative leaves, found in warm regions of the Old World. [Genus Acanthus : many species.]
2》 Architecture a representation of an ~ leaf, used especially as a decoration for Corinthian column capitals.
Origin
via L. from Gk akanthos , from akantha 'thorn', from akē 'sharp point'.