crown of thorns n 1: any affliction that causes great suffering; "that is his cross to bear"; "he bears his afflictions like a crown of thorns" [syn: {cross}] 2: somewhat climbing bushy spurge of Madagascar having long woody spiny stems with few leaves and flowers with scarlet bracts [syn: {Christ thorn}, {Christ plant}, {Euphorbia milii}] 3: a mock crown made of thorn branches that Roman soldiers placed on Jesus before the Crucifixion