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Glite Dictionary
acanthus family

acanthus family

9.1
A group of flowering plants with decorative leaves often grown in gardens
  • noun
  • /əˈkænθəs ˈfæmɪli/
  • Specialized
translation icon : familia de los acantos
  • Members of the acanthus family are often grown for their attractive foliage in gardens.

Examples

  • The acanthus family includes the ornamental bear’s breeches (Acanthus mollis).

  • The acanthus family includes many ornamental plants.

  • Scholars debated whether this genus should remain within the acanthus family or be classified separately.

  • Did you know the acanthus family has over 200 species?

  • Many gardeners appreciate the stunning designs of leaves produced by the acanthus family.

  • The acanthus family is known for its diverse range of ornamental plants that beautify landscapes.

  • Botanists study the acanthus family to understand its unique characteristics and ecological uses.

Synonyms

Acanthaceae
vsacanthus family
  • Specialized
9.9

A group of mostly tropical plants like herbs, shrubs, and trees with often spiny, showy flowers

is distributed widely rather than mainly in tropical areas

Surface Forms

acanthus family singular
acanthus families plural

Morphology

Acanthus + family

The phrase is a straightforward taxonomic compound: 'Acanthus' (a type of plant) + 'family' (a grouping of related species) yields 'the family of Acanthus plants', so the meaning is directly compositional. This naming pattern is common across languages and in scientific vocabulary, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents would readily infer the MWE's meaning.

Etymology

The noun acanthus family comes from the plant name acanthus, a leafy plant whose big, carved leaves were copied by ancient builders on the tops of columns. family here means a 'group' of related plants, so the phrase names the group of plants related to that decorative acanthus.