spine

Noun (5)spines

1. the series of vertebrae forming the axis of the skeleton and protecting the spinal cord“the fall broke his back”Synonyms: spinal columnvertebral columnbackbonebackrachisType of skeletal structureKinds chine, notochordPart of axial skeletonParts intervertebral disc, vertebra, spinal canal, coccyx
2. any sharply pointed projectionSynonyms: spuracanthaType of projection
3. a small sharp-pointed tip resembling a spike on a stem or leafSynonyms: thornprickleprickerstickerType of aculeusKinds glochidium, glochid
4. 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”Synonyms: backboneType of part, portionPart of book, volume
5. a sharp rigid animal process or appendage; as a porcupine quill or a ridge on a bone or a ray of a fish finType of process, outgrowthKinds quill, ray