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Webster 1913 Edition

Noun.

;

pl. E.

Acanthuses

, L.

Acanthi

[L., from Gr. [GREEK]. Cf.

(Bot.)

A genus of herbaceous prickly plants, found in the south of Europe, Asia Minor, and India; bear’s-breech.

(Arch.)

An ornament resembling the foliage or leaves of the acanthus (

Acanthus spinosus

); – used in the capitals of the Corinthian and Composite orders.

Noun.

[G. and L. acanthus, from a prickle or thorn. See acantha.]

The plant bear's breech or brank ursine; a genus of several species, receiving their name from their prickles.

In architecture, an ornament resembling the foliage or leaves of the acanthus, used in capitals of the Corinthian and Composite orders.