thornback

[Eng. thorn, s., and back.] Ichthy.: Raja clavata , one of the commonest of the North Atlantic Rays. It is dark-brown in color, with lighter spots; the whole upper surface is cov ered with asperities, and a variable number of large spines, like recurved nails, more abundant in the female than in the male, but always extending down the tail in the median line. It is in the best condition in November, but is not highly esteemed as a food-fish. thorn-le , adj . [Eng. thorn, s.; -le .] Free from thorns. ( Lit. & fig .) "Youth's gay prime and thornle paths." Cole ridge: Sonnet to Bowles.