CROWN OF THORNS

Pronunciation (US): (GB):

Meaning:

A mock crown made of thorn branches that Roman soldiers placed on Jesus before the Crucifixion

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Hypernyms ("crown of thorns" is a kind of...):

crown; diadem (an ornamental jeweled headdress signifying sovereignty)

Meaning:

Somewhat climbing bushy spurge of Madagascar having long woody spiny stems with few leaves and flowers with scarlet bracts

Synonyms:

Christ plant; Christ thorn; crown of thorns; Euphorbia milii

Classified under:

Nouns denoting plants

Hypernyms ("crown of thorns" is a kind of...):

spurge (any of numerous plants of the genus Euphorbia; usually having milky often poisonous juice)

Holonyms ("crown of thorns" is a member of...):

Euphorbia; genus Euphorbia (type genus of the Euphorbiaceae: very large genus of diverse plants all having milky juice)

Meaning:

Any affliction that causes great suffering

Example:

he bears his afflictions like a crown of thorns

Synonyms:

cross; crown of thorns

Classified under:

Nouns denoting stable states of affairs

Hypernyms ("crown of thorns" is a kind of...):

affliction (a state of great suffering and distress due to adversity)