spinous

[ spahy-nuhs ]

adjective

1. covered with or having spines; thorny, as a plant.
2. armed with or bearing sharp-pointed processes, as an animal.
3. spinelike.

spinous

/ ˈspaɪnəs /

adjective

1. resembling a spine or thorn

   the spinous process of a bone

2. having spines or spiny projections
3. See spinose
   another word for spinose

Other Words From

• spinous·ness noun
• inter·spinous adjective
• multi·spinous adjective
• post·spinous adjective
• sub·spinous adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of spinous¹

1630–40; < Latin spīnōsus; spine, -ous

Example Sentences

Under a lens, they usually appear covered with spinous eminences, arranged like scales.

From Project Gutenberg

The back bone receives its name, spine, or spinal column, from these spinous processes.

From Project Gutenberg

The lower leaves of this plant are spinous and very glaucous, and the upper ones palmate.

From Project Gutenberg

The arches or spinous processes are the occipital crest, the parietals, the frontals, and the nasals.

From Project Gutenberg

The fifth and sixth generations are now growing without exhibiting the least tendency to revert to the spinous form.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• prickly
• spiky