Acanthus \A*can"thus\, n.; pl. E. {Acanthuses}, L. {Acanthi}.
[L., from Gr. ?. Cf. {Acantha}.]
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1. (Bot.) A genus of herbaceous prickly plants, found in the
south of Europe, Asia Minor, and India; bear's-breech.
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2. (Arch.) An ornament resembling the foliage or leaves of
the acanthus ({Acanthus spinosus}); -- used in the
capitals of the Corinthian and Composite orders.
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