crown of thorns in WordNet English dictionary

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