spine

[spahyn]

noun

1. the spinal or vertebral column; backbone.

2. any backbonelike part.

3. a stiff, pointed process or appendage on an animal, as a quill of a porcupine, or a sharp, bony ray in the fin of a fish.

4. something, as a quality or trait, that constitutes a principal strength; resolution; stamina; backbone.

   a situation that would test a person's spine.

5. a ridge, as of ground or rock.

6. a sharp-pointed, hard or woody outgrowth on a plant; thorn.

7. Bookbinding.,  the back of a book cover or binding, usually indicating the title and author.

spine

/ spaɪn /

noun

1. the spinal column

2. the sharply pointed tip or outgrowth of a leaf, stem, etc

3. zoology a hard pointed process or structure, such as the ray of a fin, the quill of a porcupine, or the ridge on a bone

4. the back of a book, record sleeve, etc

5. a ridge, esp of a hill

6. strength of endurance, will, etc

7. anything resembling the spinal column in function or importance; main support or feature

spine

1. See vertebral column

2. Any of various pointed projections, processes, or appendages of animals.

3. A sharp-pointed projection on a plant, especially a hard, narrow modified leaf, as on a cactus, that is adapted to reduce water loss.

4. Compare thorn See more at leaf

Other Word Forms

• spined adjective
• spinelike adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of spine¹

1400–50; late Middle English < Latin spīna thorn, backbone

Word History and Origins

Origin of spine¹

C14: from Old French espine spine, from Latin spīna thorn, backbone

Example Sentences

But two things will send shivers down western diplomatic spines.

From BBC

But the 79-year-old, who had prostate cancer which spread to his bone and spine, was repeatedly denied pain relief, while further pleas from his wife, Ann, were also ignored.

From BBC

"I injured my head and spine, so I couldn't move to save them... I don't know what has happened to the bodies of my sons," he told the BBC.

From BBC

On 14 August, he called to tell her that he had a rupture in his kidney which had affected his spine.

From BBC

For years we've been told that good posture means standing tall, shoulders back and your spine straight as a rod.

From BBC

Related Words

• bone 
• vertebrae www.thesaurus.com