'Spine' definitions:

Definition of 'spine'

From: WordNet
noun
The series of vertebrae forming the axis of the skeleton and protecting the spinal cord; "the fall broke his back" [syn: spinal column, vertebral column, spine, backbone, back, rachis]
noun
Any sharply pointed projection [syn: spur, spine, acantha]
noun
A small sharp-pointed tip resembling a spike on a stem or leaf [syn: spine, thorn, prickle, pricker, sticker, spikelet]
noun
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; "the title and author were printed on the spine of the book" [syn: spine, backbone]
noun
A sharp rigid animal process or appendage; as a porcupine quill or a ridge on a bone or a ray of a fish fin

Definition of 'Spine'

From: GCIDE
  • Spine \Spine\, n. [L. spina thorn, the spine; akin to spica a point: cf. OF. espine, F. ['e]pine. Cf. Spike, Spinet a musical instrument, Spinny.]
  • 1. (Bot.) A sharp appendage to any of a plant; a thorn. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. (Zool.) (a) A rigid and sharp projection upon any part of an animal. (b) One of the rigid and undivided fin rays of a fish. [1913 Webster]
  • 3. (Anat.) The backbone, or spinal column, of an animal; -- so called from the projecting processes upon the vertebrae. [1913 Webster]
  • 4. Anything resembling the spine or backbone; a ridge. [1913 Webster]