1. ἀκανθεών · akantheōn — Beekes
ἀκανθεών and -θών ‘thorny break, spinetum’ ἀκανθηλή mg. unknown. Denominative verb ἀκανθόομαι ‘to be thorny’ (Thphr.). *ETYM The basic meaning is ‘thorn’, whence ‘backbone, spine’. Usually, dxavoc ‘pine-thistle’ is considered basic, but a connection with ἄνθος (as *akan-ant’o-; see Frisk) is improbable. Analysis as a compound *ax-av@a ‘sharp flower’ (Kretschmer 1896: 403 A. 1) is a type of etymology of the past. … — [Beekes, s.v. ἀκανθεών, p. 96]