crown of thorns

Noun

• a mock crown made of thorn branches that Roman soldiers placed on Jesus before the Crucifixion

• somewhat climbing bushy spurge of Madagascar having long woody spiny stems with few leaves and flowers with scarlet bracts

• any affliction that causes great suffering
  • that is his cross to bear
    
  • he bears his afflictions like a crown of thorns
    

Related words

• Synonyms: 
  Christ thorn , Christ plant , Euphorbia milii , cross