spine
[spahyn]
- the spinal or vertebral column; backbone.
- any backbonelike part.
- 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.
- something, as a quality or trait, that constitutes a principal strength; resolution; stamina; backbone: a situation that would test a person's spine.
- a ridge, as of ground or rock.
- a sharp-pointed, hard or woody outgrowth on a plant; thorn.
- Bookbinding. the back of a book cover or binding, usually indicating the title and author.
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Origin of spine
1400–50; late Middle English < Latin spīna thorn, backbone
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for spine
Contemporary Examples
Morris struggled to straighten his back, which involved stiffening a spine rarely used.
The results were awful: marked osteoporosis in the spine, hip, and femur.
He survived, Risner says, but was left permanently injured by a bullet to his spine.
Its spine, too, “‘hubbed’ as the most prized European classics are,” is decorated with delicate gold squiggles and a star.
Dr. Neal is a spine surgeon who made a trip to heaven while drowning in a kayak accident in South America.
Historical Examples
"Yes, dear: that is, if you and I take the spine," replied the old lady.
Later I learned that his spine had been broken, that he would be paralyzed for life.
The HarborErnest Poole
Such a tingle shot up Gibson's spine that he was sure he must have jumped.
Irresistible WeaponHorace Brown Fyfe
For the present he can but prescribe a purgative and a massage of the arm and spine.
The Book of KhalidAmeen Rihani
Why you'd put any other man's back up until he broke his spine.
The Universal ReciterVarious
spine
- the spinal column
- the sharply pointed tip or outgrowth of a leaf, stem, etc
- 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
- the back of a book, record sleeve, etc
- a ridge, esp of a hill
- strength of endurance, will, etc
- anything resembling the spinal column in function or importance; main support or feature
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Word Origin
C14: from Old French espine spine, from Latin spīna thorn, backbone
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 spine
n.
c.1400, "backbone," later "thornlike part" (early 15c.), from Old French espine (French épine), from Latin spina "backbone," originally "thorn, prickle," from PIE *spei- "sharp point" (cf. Latin spica "ear of corn," Old Norse spikr "nail;" see spike (n.1)). Meaning "the back of a book" is first attested 1922.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
spine
(spīn)- spinal column
- Any of various short pointed projections, processes, or appendages of bone.
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The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
spine
[spīn]
- See vertebral column.
- Any of various pointed projections, processes, or appendages of animals.
- 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.
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The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.