spinous

[spahy-nuhs]

adjective

1. covered with or having spines; thorny, as a plant.

2. armed with or bearing sharp-pointed processes, as an animal.

3. spinelike.

spinous

/ ˈspaɪnəs /

adjective

1. resembling a spine or thorn

   the spinous process of a bone

2. having spines or spiny projections

3. another word for spinose

Other Word Forms

• spinousness noun
• interspinous adjective
• multispinous adjective
• postspinous adjective
• subspinous adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of spinous¹

1630–40; < Latin spīnōsus; spine, -ous

Example Sentences

Follicles oblong or ovate, often somewhat muricate with soft spinous projections.

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The vertebral column; the spinous process of a vertebra.

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These spinal pains are always aggravated by pressure made on either side of the spinous processes of the vertebr�, and, like the cephalic pains, are more or less mitigated by revulsive applications.

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The spinous processes of the anterior thoracic region are high and compressed.

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In these cases the peduncles may persist and may even be modified into spinous organs of defence.

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Related Words

• prickly 
• spiky