spinose

American  

[spahy-nohs, spahy-nohs] / ˈspaɪ noʊs, spaɪˈnoʊs /

adjective

1. full of spines; spiniferous; spinous.

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spinose British  

/ spaɪˈnɒsɪtɪ, spaɪˈnəʊs, ˈspaɪnəʊs /

adjective

1. (esp of plants) bearing many spines

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Other Word Forms

• nonspinose adjective
• nonspinosely adverb
• nonspinosity noun
• spinosely adverb
• spinosity noun
• subspinose adjective

Etymology

Origin of spinose

From the Latin word spīnōsus, dating back to 1650–60. See spine, -ose ¹

Example Sentences

Cryptic morphologies and elaborate spinose ornament have evolved in step with these predation pressures, the most extreme example being represented by the giant pholidomeleons.

From Scientific American • Apr. 1, 2013

They have a broad spinose head, with the eyes looking upward.

From The Gutenberg Webster's Unabridged Dictionary Section T, U, V, and W by Project Gutenberg

Caudal Appendages.—I can only say that they are spinose on their summits.

From A Monograph on the Sub-class Cirripedia With Figures of all the Species. by Darwin, Charles

Thorax: fulvo-hyaline, with a dark fuscous border at the apex; the knees, tibiæ and tarsi reddish-yellow; the two latter spinose.

From Journal of the Proceedings of the Linnean Society - Vol. 3 Zoology by Various

Taking Mauritius alone, I do not call to mind a single species that is a spinose endemic tree or shrub.

From Darwinism (1889) by Wallace, Alfred Russel