spine
40
4.1
- noun
- /spaɪn/
:
espina
- Some fish have spines on their fins to help protect them from predators.
- sharp spines
- defensive spines
- sea urchin spines
They're great big things covered in nasty looking poisonous spines.
- They're great big things covered in nasty looking poisonous spines.
- Now English cucumbers are green in color and they're also either smooth skinned or spine skinned.
Examples
-
Some were covered with extraordinary spines, while others were smooth and flattened.
Academic text (1992) -
So I am covered in spines, my entire back and my arm.
-
Do not let the spines puncture your skin.
-
The brown mule with the black stripe running down its spine came up to them.
Fiction book (1996) -
Those dorsal spines are laden with venom.
-
Salt, shells, shark teeth, and stingray spines traveled farther to inland communities hundreds of miles from the coast.
Academic text (1991) -
A shudder went down Aunty's spine as a sound between a gasp and a sigh escaped the child.
Fiction book (1991) -
Despite its long defensive spines, the sea urchin at right is being devoured by a helmet snail.
Academic text (1992) -
The cactus is covered in sharp spines that can cause pain if touched.
-
The rose plant has thorns that act like spines to deter herbivores.
Synonyms
58
3.6
A long thin pointed part on something like a shoe or fence
53
1.0
A sharp point on a plant stem or leaf that can hurt you
8
6.7
A sharp hollow spine on animals like hedgehogs and porcupines
5
5.4
A sharp pointed part that sticks out from a plant or animal
4
9.6
A sharp, thorn-like point on a plant or bone
4
3.9
A small sharp point on a plant stem or leaf that can scratch
1
6.5
A small sharp point on a plant that can prick you
1
8.2
A small sharp point on a plant stem or leaf that can hurt if touched
A sharp point on an animal or plant that protects it
A small pointed part on a grass or grain stem that holds small flowers
Antonyms
Idioms
- Informal
1
5.9
Make someone feel a sudden strong fear or excitement
- Informal
1
6.0
Cause someone to feel a sudden strong fear or excitement
- Informal
1
5.9
A sudden feeling of fear or excitement that moves along your back
Compounds
- Specialized
A building design with parts joined in a T shape to give support and strength
How Sharp
Surface Forms
Etymology
Spine comes from the Latin word spina meaning 'thorn' or 'sharp point', so imagine a rose thorn when you think of the stiff, sharp projections on plants and animals.