spine

American  

[spahyn] / spaɪn /

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 British  

/ 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 Scientific  

/ 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 thorn See more at leaf

---

Other Word Forms

• spined adjective
• spinelike adjective

Etymology

Origin of spine

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

Example Sentences

It sent chills down my spine — this is why Tillman won an Emmy!

From Los Angeles Times

Frigid ocean water in Sonoma County wasn’t the only thing sending a chill down the spine of a surfer riding the waves on Friday.

From Los Angeles Times

The spine of all the good teams I managed had that character.

From BBC

The fascinated Kayleen, clearly outclassed in the first round of the ailment and injury competition that forms the mordant spine of the play, asks to see and touch Doug’s wound.

From The Wall Street Journal

Scrawled on its spine were the words "Collections of Photographs of Old Congress Party- K. L. Nursey."

From BBC

Related Words

• bone
• vertebrae