spine
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.
Origin of spine
1Other words from spine
- spined, adjective
- spinelike, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use spine in a sentence
Where that spined sand's lined band's the bay—Lined blind with true sea's blue, as due— Promising—not to pay?
The Book of Humorous Verse | VariousThe front margin is indented on each side of a three-spined rostrum, to form cavities for the eyes.
The Sea-beach at Ebb-tide | Augusta Foote ArnoldHer six powerful legs are spined to help her, no doubt, in climbing over the smooth surfaces of flowers and twigs.
Book of Monsters | David Fairchild and Marian Hubbard (Bell) FairchildFrom it rise double or triple ranges connected by cross-ridges and spined with outer spurs.
The well-known tinker or ten-spined stickleback (Gasterosteus pungitius) is one of our indigenous fish which constructs a nest.
Animal Intelligence | George J. Romanes
British Dictionary definitions for spine
/ (spaɪn) /
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
Origin of spine
1Derived forms of spine
- spined, adjective
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
Scientific definitions for spine
[ spīn ]
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.
Other words from spine
- spinal adjective
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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