spinescent

[ spahy-nes-uhnt ]

adjective

1. Botany.
   1. becoming spinelike.
   2. ending in a spine.
   3. bearing spines.
2. Zoology. somewhat spinelike; coarse, as hair.

spinescent

/ spaɪˈnɛsənt /

adjective

1. having or resembling a spine or spines
2. becoming spiny

Derived Forms

• spiˈnescence, noun

Other Words From

• spi·nescence noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of spinescent¹

First recorded in 1785–95, spinescent is from the Late Latin word spīnēscent- (stem of spīnēscēns, present participle of spīnēscere to grow thorny). See spine, -escent

Word History and Origins

Origin of spinescent¹

C18: from Late Latin spīnēscere to become thorny, from Latin spīna a thorn

Example Sentences

The capillitium is remarkably spinescent, the branching of the threads, rare.

From Project Gutenberg

Resembles the first species somewhat in habit, size, and the spinescent capillitium, but the resemblance is superficial only.

From Project Gutenberg

Leaves alternate, deciduous, abruptly once-pinnate; leaflets mucronate; stipules usually spinescent.

From Project Gutenberg

Characters of Dipsacus, but the green leaves of the involucre and involucels not rigid nor spinescent.

From Project Gutenberg

In the Pear and Sloe all gradations occur between spines and spine-like (spinescent) branches.

From Project Gutenberg