A·căn'thus, n.

n.; pl. Eng. ACANTHUSES, Lat. ACANTHI. [Lat. acanthus, Gr. ἄκανθος. Cf. ACANTHA.]

1. (Arch.) An ornament resembling the foliage or leaves of the acanthus;—used in the capitals of the Corinthian and Composite orders.
2. (Bot.) A genus of herbaceous prickly plants, found in the south of Europe, Asia Minor, and India.