acanth-

See also: acanth

English

The surgeonfish genus is named "Acanthurus", which means "thorn-tail", because species in this genus bear dangerously sharp spines on either side of the tail. In this picture the light mark alongside the dark stem of the tail shows where the spine is kept folded away like the blade of a penknife

This photograph shows the exposed spine of the surgeonfish species Acanthurus xanthopterus

Acanthacris ruficornis bears thorn-like spines on the tibiae of the hind legs

Alternative forms

• acantho- (before a consonant)

Etymology

From international scientific vocabulary, reflecting a New Latin combining form, from New Latin, from Ancient Greek ἄκανθος (ákanthos, “thorn plant”), from ἄκανθα (ákantha, “thorn”).

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /əˈkænθ/
• (US) IPA^(key): /əˈkænθ/

Prefix

acanth-

1. with thorns

Anagrams

• Tanach