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Definition of Acanthus
1. Noun. Any plant of the genus Acanthus having large spiny leaves and spikes or white or purplish flowers; native to Mediterranean region but widely cultivated.
Group relationships: Genus Acanthus
Specialized synonyms: Acanthus Mollis, Bear's Breech, Bear's Breeches, Sea Holly
Definition of Acanthus
1. n. A genus of herbaceous prickly plants, found in the south of Europe, Asia Minor, and India; bear's- breech.
Definition of Acanthus
1. Noun. (context: botany) 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. ¹
2. Noun. (context: architecture) An ornament resembling the foliage or leaves of ''Acanthus spinosus'', and used in the capitals of the Corinthian and composite orders. ¹
¹ Source: wiktionary.com
Definition of Acanthus
1. a prickly herb [n -THI or -THUSES]
Medical Definition of Acanthus
1.
Origin: L, from Gr. Cf. Acantha.
1.
Lexicographical Neighbors of Acanthus
Literary usage of Acanthus
Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:
1. The Natural History of Pliny by Pliny, John Bostock, Henry Thomas Riley (1856)
"The acanthus M is a plant that grows in cities, and is used in ornamental gardening.
It has a broad, long leaf, and is used as a covering for the margins of ..."
2. Gothic Architecture in England: An Analysis of the Origin & Development of by Francis Bond (1906)
"The most striking part of the capital is the band of acanthus. As to this, it is
by no means certain that it is acanthus at all; in Greek capitals, ..."
3. Sculptured Tombs of Hellas by Percy Gardner (1896)
"First, of the acanthus. The gradual growth of this ornament in complication and
variety may be traced in the stelae of successive periods'-. ..."
4. The Encyclopedia Americana: A Library of Universal Knowledge (1918)
"acanthus is a native of many parts of southern Europe. The family is represented in
... acanthus IN ART. There are several varieties of the acanthus plant. ..."
5. The Lady's Book of Flowers and Poetry: To which are Added a Botanical by Lucy Hooper (1860)
"THE acanthus. THE acanthus is found in hot countries, along the shores of great
rivers. It grows freely in our climate; and Pliny assures us that it is a ..."
6. Lessons on Decorative Design by Frank G. Jackson (1908)
"acanthus FOLIAGE. 9 acanthus foliage being an important element in the great ...
The term " acanthus " is used to denote a class of conventional foliage, ..."
7. Favourite Flowers of Garden and Greenhouse by Edward Step (1897)
"The acanthus is chiefly seen in old-fashioned gardens and in places where it has
room to display its fine foliage. Somewhere about three hundred ..."
Other Resources:
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