 crown_of_thorns |
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| 1. | [ noun ] (botany) somewhat climbing bushy spurge of Madagascar having long woody spiny stems with few leaves and flowers with scarlet bracts | |
| Synonyms: | Christ_plant Euphorbia_milii Christ_thorn | |
| Related terms: | spurge Euphorbia | |
| 2. | [ noun ] any affliction that causes great suffering | |
| Synonyms: | cross | |
| Examples: | "that is his cross to bear" "he bears his afflictions like a crown of thorns" |
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| Related terms: | affliction thwart | |
| 3. | [ noun ] (Christianity) a mock crown made of thorn branches that Roman soldiers placed on Jesus before the Crucifixion | |
| Related terms: | crown | |
