acantho-comb. form

Etymology: < ancient Greek ἀκανθο- combining form (in e.g.ἀκανθοϕάγος feeding on thistles, Hellenistic Greek ἀκανθοϕόρος : see acanthophorous adj.) of ἄκανθα thorn (see acanthus n.). Compare post-classical Latin and scientific Latin acantho- (formations in which are found from at least the first half of the 18th cent.), French acantho- (attested in borrowings from Latin from the second half of the 18th cent.).Attested from the mid 18th cent., earliest in borrowings and adaptations of Latin and French words, e.g. Acanthopterygii n., acanthopterygian adj., etc. Formations within English are found at least from the mid 19th cent., e.g. in acanthocladous adj. Combining with second elements of Greek and Latin origin.