spinose

[ spahy-nohs, spahy-nohs ]

adjective

1. full of spines; spiniferous; spinous.

spinose

/ spaɪˈnɒsɪtɪ; spaɪˈnəʊs; ˈspaɪnəʊs /

adjective

1. (esp of plants) bearing many spines

Derived Forms

• ˈspinosely, adverb
• spinosity, noun

Other Words From

• spinose·ly adverb
• spi·nos·i·ty [spahy-, nos, -i-tee], noun
• non·spinose adjective
• non·spinose·ly adverb
• nonspi·nosi·ty noun
• sub·spinose adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of spinose¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of spinose¹

C17: from Latin spīnōsus prickly, from spīna a thorn

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

Leaves mostly rigid and more or less spinose.

From Project Gutenberg

Belonging to the order of fishes having spinose fins, as the perch.

From Project Gutenberg

Leaflets.—Seven to nine; glossy; ovate to oblong-lanceolate; one and one half to four inches long; acuminate; sinuately dentate, with numerous spinose teeth; the lowest pair distant from the stem.

From Project Gutenberg

The female heads are spinose with long pungent bracts, fall entire when ripe and are carried away by wind or sea, becoming finally anchored in the sand and falling to pieces.

From Project Gutenberg