Acanth

/əˈkænθ/ noun

Definition

Short for acanthus; a prickly or spiny plant, particularly used in ancient Mediterranean architecture and decoration.

Etymology

Shortened form of 'acanthus,' from Greek 'akantha' meaning thorn or prickly plant. The abbreviation reflects common scholarly shorthand in botanical and architectural contexts.

Kelly Says

Architectural historians still use this abbreviation because describing the Corinthian column's leaf decoration as 'acanth' is so much faster than 'acanthus!'

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