Link Centre Dictionary

spine

UK/spaɪn/ US/ˈspaɪn/ fairly common

noun

1.

the series of vertebrae forming the axis of the skeleton and protecting the spinal cord

  • “the fall broke his back”
Synonyms
2.

any pointed projection

Synonyms
3.
4.

a sharp rigid animal process or appendage; as a porcupine quill or a ridge on a bone or a ray of a fish fin

Origin

From late Middle English spyne, from Old French espine (French épine) or its source, Latin spīna (“a thorn; a prickle, spine; the backbone”). Doublet of spina.

Phrases

  • lumbar spine
  • send a shiver down someone's spine
  • send shivers down someone's spine
  • spine board
  • spine pig
  • spine plot
  • spine ramp
  • spine road

Related words

Word family

Broader terms

Narrower terms

Parts

Part of

WordNet 2.1 (Princeton University). Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). CMU Pronouncing Dictionary. WordNet 2.1 Copyright Princeton University. All rights reserved. Wiktionary content is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike Licence.