spine

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Advanced English dictionary

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+ noun
1 the row of small bones that are connected together down the middle of the back
Synonym: BACKBONE
2 any of the sharp pointed parts like needles on some plants and animals: Porcupines use their spines to protect themselves.
See also - SPINY
3 the narrow part of the cover of a book that the pages are joined to

Thesaurus dictionary

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n.

1 backbone, spinal column, vertebrae:

He can't stand up straight - he has curvature of the spine.

2 thorn, needle, barb, spike, spur, prong, quill, ray, barbel, bristle, prickle, Technical barbule, spicule or spiculum or spicula:

The surface of the sea urchin is covered with needle-like spines.

Collocation dictionary

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¹ backbone

ADJ.

fractured | cervical, lumbar

VERB + SPINE

bend, curve | straighten | stiffen | slide along/down/up

(figurative) An icy chill slid up my spine.

PREP.

in the/your ~

the nerves in the spine

PHRASES

the base of the spine, curvature of the spine, send shivers along/down your spine

² sharp point on some plants/animals

ADJ.

pointed, sharp | fine | poisonous, venomous | savage

Once embedded in the skin, these savage spines are difficult to dislodge.

VERB + SPINE

bear, carry, have

Concise English dictionary

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spinesspaɪn
noun
+the series of vertebrae forming the axis of the skeleton and protecting the spinal cord
+any sharply pointed projection
+a small sharp-pointed tip resembling a spike on a stem or leaf
+the part of a book's cover that encloses the inner side of the book's pages and that faces outward when the book is shelved
+a sharp rigid animal process or appendage; as a porcupine quill or a ridge on a bone or a ray of a fish fin