1. (n.) A genus of herbaceous prickly plants, found in the south of Europe, Asia Minor, and India; bear's-breech.

2. (n.) An ornament resembling the foliage or leaves of the acanthus (Acanthus spinosus); -- used in the capitals of the Corinthian and Composite orders.

abacus acanthus annulet apophyge architrave astragal beading beak bell billet boss capstone cartouche cavetto cima cinquefoil conge console coping corbel cornice crown cusp cyma dentil drip drop fascia fillet finial foil fret frontispiece head header headpiece keystone lintel listel molding ovolo patera pendant quatrefoil reed sconce splay taenia terminal torus treenail trefoil tympanum volute