spine

American  

[spahyn] / spaɪn /

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.

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spine British  

/ 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

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spine Scientific  

/ 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.

4. Compare thorn See more at leaf

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Other Word Forms

• spined adjective
• spinelike adjective

Etymology

Origin of spine

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

Example Sentences

Johnson’s move appears to have stiffened investors’ spines.

From Barron's

He shook a hand to make the feeling go away, then traced the letters on the spine with his index finger.

From Literature

The cover, designed by Bravo student Adrian Lopez, depicts a tree wrapping around the spine.

From Los Angeles Times

The shriveled-up face staring at me sent shivers up my spine.

From Literature

For the next three years, the lava ran down in spines and pooled to create another dome, just to the south of the one that had been built up more than two decades before.

From Literature

Related Words

• bone
• vertebrae