Dictionary.com
definitions
  • synonyms

spinal

[spahyn-l]
See more synonyms for spinal on Thesaurus.com
adjective
  1. of, relating to, or belonging to a spine or thornlike structure, especially to the backbone.
Show More
noun
  1. Medicine/Medical. a spinal anesthetic.
Show More

Origin of spinal

1570–80; < Late Latin spīnālis, equivalent to Latin spīn(a) spina + -ālis -al1
Related formsspi·nal·ly, adverbin·ter·spi·nal, adjectivenon·spi·nal, adjectivepre·spi·nal, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for spinal

Contemporary Examples

Historical Examples

  • He said that all such disturbances are acted upon in the spinal cord.

  • Balta said, and Murray felt the muzzle of the neuro-pistol on his spinal column.

    The Martian Cabal

    Roman Frederick Starzl

  • "Spinal meningitis," they said laconically, and they were taking him down to the hospital.

    The Trail of '98

    Robert W. Service

  • The spinal distortion is one of the ordinary consequences of lacing.

    The Arena

    Various

  • He also got tired of waiting and suggested it might be some spinal trouble.

    A Labrador Doctor

    Wilfred Thomason Grenfell

British Dictionary definitions for spinal

spinal

adjective
  1. of or relating to the spine or the spinal cord
  2. denoting a laboratory animal in which the spinal cord has been severeda spinal rat
Show More
noun
  1. short for spinal anaesthesia
Show More
Derived Formsspinally, adverb
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for spinal

adj.

1570s, from Late Latin spinalis, from spina (see spine).

Show More
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
spinal in Medicine

spinal

(spī′nəl)
adj.
  1. Relating to or situated near the spinal column or spinal cord.
  2. Relating to any spine or spinous process.
Show More
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
spinal in Science

spine

[spīn]
  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. Compare thorn. See more at leaf.
Show More
Related formsspinal adjective
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.