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

Only 11 Republicans were able to find the spine to vote with Democrats to strip her of those assignments.

From Washington Post

A jolt of pain and energy spiked through my back, traveling up my spine.

From Outside Online

Besides revisiting the time when, as an adolescent, he had a major operation to remove a tumor on his spine, Williamson reckoned with a funeral for a sister who died almost half a century ago.

From Washington Post

Let your thumbs rest on either side of your spine, right where your trapezius ends.

From Popular-Science

Engage your abs—again, imagine pulling your belly button toward your spine—to eliminate any gap between your lower back and the floor.

From Outside Online

Morris struggled to straighten his back, which involved stiffening a spine rarely used.

From The Daily Beast

The results were awful: marked osteoporosis in the spine, hip, and femur.

From The Daily Beast

He survived, Risner says, but was left permanently injured by a bullet to his spine.

From The Daily Beast

It is a joy to watch Shafer seamlessly work incisive commentary on contemporary life into a fast-paced spine-chiller.

From The Daily Beast

Its spine, too, “‘hubbed’ as the most prized European classics are,” is decorated with delicate gold squiggles and a star.

From The Daily Beast

Another crash, which nearly shut up his spine like a telescope, told him that there were no wings.

From Project Gutenberg

A cold, numbing sensation stole down my spine and made my legs grow suddenly weak.

From Project Gutenberg

A shudder ran down his spine; there was a sensation of inner cold against his heart; he trembled, but he could not look away.

From Project Gutenberg

He was flung down heavily, and pinned prone in a corner by one of those bullies who knelt on his spine.

From Project Gutenberg

He felt as if his spine had suddenly become hollow and someone had filled it with particles of ice.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• bone
• vertebrae