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Wuthanya Posted 15 years ago
Vocabulary
Use of "acanthaceous"
Hi everyone 
I'm unsure about the use of the word "acanthaceous". I know it means something like "spiky" or "full of thorns", but how do you use it? Is it pretty common or is it a word that is hardly ever used? Is there another word meaning "full of thorns" that you would use instead, but which still sounds a little more sophisticated than "thorny" or "spiky"?
I'd be very grateful for your help
Thanks in advance,
wuthanya
I'm unsure about the use of the word "acanthaceous". I know it means something like "spiky" or "full of thorns", but how do you use it? Is it pretty common or is it a word that is hardly ever used? Is there another word meaning "full of thorns" that you would use instead, but which still sounds a little more sophisticated than "thorny" or "spiky"?
I'd be very grateful for your help
Thanks in advance,
wuthanya
Top answer
No, acanthaceous is virtually unknown to native speakers outside the fields of botany, horticulture and related fields. If I were looking for a more formal word than thorny or spiky , I might choose barbed . Thorny is quite to the point, however (no pun intended).
- No, acanthaceous is virtually unknown to native speakers outside the fields of botany, horticulture and related fields.
- If I were looking for a more formal word than thorny or spiky , I might choose barbed .
- Thorny is quite to the point, however (no pun intended).
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5 Answers
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No, acanthaceous is virtually unknown to native speakers outside the fields of botany, horticulture and related fields.
If I were looking for a more formal word than thorny or spiky, I might choose barbed. Thorny is quite to the point, however (no pun intended).
If I were looking for a more formal word than thorny or spiky, I might choose barbed. Thorny is quite to the point, however (no pun intended).
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Hi wuthanya,
It is derived from a botanical name acanthaceae. The word acanthaceous is frequently used by the botanists. I have no idea regarding its usage in general English conversations
Regards,
Sri
It is derived from a botanical name acanthaceae. The word acanthaceous is frequently used by the botanists. I have no idea regarding its usage in general English conversations
Regards,
Sri
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No pun intended, huh? 
Thanks so much for your answer, that really helps a lot!
Best wishes & have a great day
Thanks so much for your answer, that really helps a lot!
Best wishes & have a great day
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[Sorry, I thought I was replying to Mister Micawber's post earlier! I guess I got it mixed up :/]
Hi Sri,
thanks so much for your answer and the additional information about the origin of the word! It helps a lot
Hi Sri,
thanks so much for your answer and the additional information about the origin of the word! It helps a lot
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