crown of thorns

English

Etymology

From crown + of + (plural form of) thorn, translating Latin spinea corona, itself translating Hellenistic Ancient Greek ἀκάνθινος στέφανος (akánthinos stéphanos).

Pronunciation
  • (UK) IPA(key): /ˌkɹaʊn əv ˈθɔːnz/

Noun

crown of thorns (plural crowns of thorns)

  1. (Christianity) The crown made of a thorny plant that Christ was forced to wear before his Crucifixion, in mocking reference to his alleged status as ‘king of the Jews’, or a representation of this. [from 10th c.]
  2. A spiny Mediterranean tree, Ziziphus spina-christi. [from 19th c.]
  3. A spiny spurge, Euphorbia milii, native to Madagascar. [from 19th c.]
  4. A large starfish with venemous spines, Acanthaster planci. [from 20th c.]

Further reading
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