Main Entry: spine

Pronunciation: \ˈspīn\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English, thorn, spinal column, from Latin spina; perhaps akin to Latin spica ear of grain

Date: 15th century

1 a : spinal column b : something resembling a spinal column or constituting a central axis or chief support c : the part of a book to which the pages are attached and on the cover of which usually appear the title and author's and publisher's names
2 : a stiff pointed plant process; especially : one that is a modified leaf or leaf part
3 : a sharp rigid process on an animal: as a : spicule b : a stiff unsegmented fin ray of a fish c : a pointed prominence on a bone

— spined \ˈspīnd\ adjective

— spine·like \-ˌlīk\ adjective