acanthological,a.Zool.|əˌkænθəˈlɒdʒɪkəl| [f.Gr. ἀκανθο- thorn + -logical.] Pertaining to the study of the nature and functions of spines, founded on the study of spines. 1881Macintosh in NatureNo. 628. 41 The systematic value of acanthological characters.