a thorn
Akantha denotes thorny growth that chokes seed, contrasts with fruitful plants, or supplies a woven crown.
The term most often denotes thorny growth among which seed falls and by which it is choked. It also names thorny plants set against figs or grapes, growth borne by unproductive ground, and the material woven into a crown.
Senses in use
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Thorny growth choking seed · dominant
In Luke 8:14, the accusative plural form occurs in the clause about what fell among the thorns; the APB renders the result as being choked before reaching maturity. Matthew 13:7, Mark 4:7, and Luke 8:7 likewise place seed among thorns that grow up and choke it, while Matthew 13:22 applies the same setting to a hearer whose word becomes unfruitful.
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Thorny plants contrasted with fruit · common
In Luke 6:44 and Matthew 7:16, the genitive plural form occurs in questions contrasting thorns with the gathering of figs or grapes; the APB renders the clauses with fruit not gathered from thorns. Hebrews 6:8 places the accusative plural among what the ground bears before being described as worthless and destined for burning.
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Material woven into a crown · occasional
In John 19:2 and Matthew 27:29, the genitive plural form occurs with a crown that soldiers weave and put on a person's head. The APB renders each clause as a crown made from thorns.
In the Anselm Project Bible: The APB generally presents the term with “thorns,” including the seed-and-growth scenes and the woven crown. In Luke 6:44 it also uses “a thorn bush”; these are translation renderings of whole clauses.