Acanthous
/əˈkæn.θəs/noun
Having spines, thorns, or thornlike projections.
Did you know?Acanthous comes from Greek akánthos, “thorn” or “spine,” the same root behind the acanthus plant that became one of the most iconic ornamental motifs in classical architecture.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*h₂eḱ-
“to be sharp, pointed”
Ancient Greek
Greek
ákantha
“thorn, spine, prickle”
Ancient Greek
Greek
akanthṓdēs
“thorny, spiny”
Late Latin
Latin
acanthus
“the acanthus plant, a thorny plant used as an ornamental motif”
16th Century
English
acanthous
“having spines or thornlike projections”
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