G00173

ἄκανθα

Etym. ἀκή I

1. "a thorn, prickle", Theocr., etc.

2. "a prickly plant, thistle"; in pl. "thistledown", Od.:—also "a kind of acacia", Hdt.

3. "the backbone or spine" of animals, id=Hdt., etc.

4. metaph., ἄκανθαι, "thorny" questions, Luc.