spine

[ spahyn ]

noun

1. the spinal or vertebral column; backbone.
2. any backbonelike part.
3. 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.
4. something, as a quality or trait, that constitutes a principal strength; resolution; stamina; backbone:

   a situation that would test a person's spine.

5. a ridge, as of ground or rock.
6. a sharp-pointed, hard or woody outgrowth on a plant; thorn.
7. Bookbinding. the back of a book cover or binding, usually indicating the title and author.

spine

/ spaɪn /

noun

1. the spinal column
2. the sharply pointed tip or outgrowth of a leaf, stem, etc
3. 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
4. the back of a book, record sleeve, etc
5. a ridge, esp of a hill
6. strength of endurance, will, etc
7. anything resembling the spinal column in function or importance; main support or feature

spine

/ spīn /

1. See vertebral column
2. Any of various pointed projections, processes, or appendages of animals.
3. A sharp-pointed projection on a plant, especially a hard, narrow modified leaf, as on a cactus, that is adapted to reduce water loss.
4. Compare thornSee more at leaf

Derived Forms

• spined, adjective

Other Words From

• spined adjective
• spinelike adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of spine¹

1400–50; late Middle English < Latin spīna thorn, backbone

Word History and Origins

Origin of spine¹

C14: from Old French espine spine, from Latin spīna thorn, backbone

Example Sentences

Ms Logan said that Lily's injuries included a broken jaw, a split tongue and four breaks in her spine, which meant that she cannot be moved from hospital.

From BBC

A carpet of palm trees has made way for the runway, which stretches along the spine of the north island between the two main villages - La Fourche in the north and Vingt-Cinq further south.

From BBC

These include serious burns, trauma to the head and spine and limb amputations.

From BBC

One of the bullets brushed his spine and another pierced his bladder, leaving him with a permanent catheter.

From Los Angeles Times

The couple were told his bones "weren't really there", his spine was barely developed, his arms and legs were too short and it was unlikely he would survive.

From BBC

Related Words

• bone
• vertebrae