1. A mock crown made of thorn branches that Roman soldiers placed on Jesus before the Crucifixion
   "The painting depicted Jesus wearing the crown of thorns"
    
2. Any affliction that causes great suffering
   "he bears his afflictions like a crown of thorns";
   - cross
    
3. Somewhat climbing bushy spurge of Madagascar having long woody spiny stems with few leaves and flowers with scarlet bracts
   "The crown of thorns plant climbed up the greenhouse trellis";
   - Christ thorn, Christ plant, Euphorbia milii

Derived forms: crowns of thorns

Type of: affliction, crown, diadem, spurge

Part of: Euphorbia, genus Euphorbia

Encyclopedia: Crown of thorns