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| spine [ spīn ] (plural spines) |
noun |
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| Definition: |
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1. anatomy Same as spinal column
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2. printing vertical back of book: the back of a book cover to which the pages are attached
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3. zoology hard sharp projection on animal's body: a sharp stiff projection on the body of an animal, e.g. the quill of a porcupine or the ray of a fish's fin
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4. botany sharp point on plant: a stiff sharp pointed outgrowth on a plant, e.g. on a rose or cactus
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5. geography ridge in mountains: a continuous ridge in a range of mountains or hills
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| [14th century. Via French< Latin spina "thorn"] |