spine
the spinal or vertebral column; backbone.
any backbonelike part.
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.
something, as a quality or trait, that constitutes a principal strength; resolution; stamina; backbone: a situation that would test a person's spine.
a ridge, as of ground or rock.
a sharp-pointed, hard or woody outgrowth on a plant; thorn.
Bookbinding. the back of a book cover or binding, usually indicating the title and author.
Origin of spine
1Other words from spine
- spined, adjective
- spinelike, adjective
Words Nearby spine
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use spine in a sentence
Morris struggled to straighten his back, which involved stiffening a spine rarely used.
Powerful Congressman Writes About ‘Fleshy Breasts’ | Asawin Suebsaeng | January 7, 2015 | THE DAILY BEASTThe results were awful: marked osteoporosis in the spine, hip, and femur.
He survived, Risner says, but was left permanently injured by a bullet to his spine.
It is a joy to watch Shafer seamlessly work incisive commentary on contemporary life into a fast-paced spine-chiller.
The Best Fiction of 2014: Ford, Ferrante, Klay, and More | William O’Connor | December 7, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTIts spine, too, “‘hubbed’ as the most prized European classics are,” is decorated with delicate gold squiggles and a star.
Another crash, which nearly shut up his spine like a telescope, told him that there were no wings.
The Giant of the North | R.M. BallantyneA cold, numbing sensation stole down my spine and made my legs grow suddenly weak.
Uncanny Tales | VariousA shudder ran down his spine; there was a sensation of inner cold against his heart; he trembled, but he could not look away.
The Wave | Algernon BlackwoodHe was flung down heavily, and pinned prone in a corner by one of those bullies who knelt on his spine.
St. Martin's Summer | Rafael SabatiniHe felt as if his spine had suddenly become hollow and someone had filled it with particles of ice.
The Empty House And Other Ghost Stories | Algernon Blackwood
British Dictionary definitions for spine
/ (spaɪn) /
the spinal column
the sharply pointed tip or outgrowth of a leaf, stem, etc
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
the back of a book, record sleeve, etc
a ridge, esp of a hill
strength of endurance, will, etc
anything resembling the spinal column in function or importance; main support or feature
Origin of spine
1Derived forms of spine
- spined, adjective
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Scientific definitions for spine
[ spīn ]
Any of various pointed projections, processes, or appendages of animals.
A sharp-pointed projection on a plant, especially a hard, narrow modified leaf, as on a cactus, that is adapted to reduce water loss. Compare thorn. See more at leaf.
Other words from spine
- spinal adjective
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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