Spine

spin, n. (Bot.) A sharp proce from the woody part of a plant; a thorn. (Zobl.) A rigid, jointed spike upon any part of an animal. The back-bone or spinal column of an animal. [OF. espine, a thorn, prickle, L. sjnna, a thorn, also the back-bone; L. spica, an ear of corn: see Spike.] — Spi'hal, a. Pert, to the back-bone. — Spin'y, a. Full of opines; thorny; like a spine; slender; perplexed^ difficult; troublesome. — Spi'nous, -nus, -nose', -nos', a. Armed with spines; thorny.— Spinoslty, -nos'T-tY, n. State of being, etc. — Spinif' erous, -er-us, a. Producing spines. [L.ferre, to bear.]— Spi'nel, -nel', -nelle', spT-neK, n. A mineral occurring in octohedrons of great hardne . [LL. sninellus, fr. L. spina, — named its pointed crystals.]— Spinet, spin'et or spT-nef, n. An obsolete instrument of music resembling a harpsichord; a virginal. [OF. espinette, spinetta, L. spina, — because was struck with a spine or pointed quill.]— Spin'ney, -ny, -nl, n. A small thicket or grove with undergrowth. [OF. espinoye, L. spinetum, a thorny thicket, spina.] Spinner, Spinster, etc. See under Spin. Spiracle. Spirant, etc. See under Spirit.