spine

/spain/

Friendly

The word "spine" has several meanings in English, and I will explain them in a simple way.

Basic Definition:

1. Anatomy: The spine is the part of your body that runs down your back. It is made up of small bones called vertebrae, which protect the spinal cord. The spinal cord is a bundle of nerves that sends signals between your brain and the rest of your body.

   • Example: "The fall broke his back, and he had to go to the hospital to check his spine."

2. Book Cover: The spine is also the part of a book that is on the outside and holds the pages together. It is where the title and author’s name are often printed.

   • Example: "The title and author were printed on the spine of the book."

3. Plants and Animals: In nature, a spine can refer to a sharp, pointed part of a plant, like a thorn, or a sharp projection on an animal, like a porcupine quill.

   • Example: "Be careful of the spines on that cactus!"

Usage Instructions:

• Use "spine" when talking about the human body, books, or sharp points in nature.
• Remember to use it in the right context to avoid confusion.

Advanced Usage:

• In a metaphorical sense, "spine" can also mean strength or courage. For example, "She showed great spine when she stood up for what she believed in."

Word Variants:

• Spinal (adjective): Relating to the spine.
  • Example: "He had spinal surgery to fix his back."
• Spined (adjective): Having spines or sharp points.
  • Example: "The spined fish is known for its sharp fins."

Different Meanings:

1. In biology, it can refer to the sharp structures on certain animals or plants.
2. In literature, the spine refers to the binding part of a book.

Synonyms:

• For the anatomical meaning: backbone, vertebral column.
• For the book meaning: binding, cover.
• For the sharp part in nature: thorn, spike, quill.

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

• "To have a backbone": This means to be strong or courageous.
  • Example: "It takes a lot of backbone to speak out against injustice."
• There are no specific phrasal verbs directly related to "spine," but you can encounter expressions that include "backbone."

Academic

Noun

1. a sharp rigid animal process or appendage; as a porcupine quill or a ridge on a bone or a ray of a fish fin
2. 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
3. a small sharp-pointed tip resembling a spike on a stem or leaf
4. any sharply pointed projection
5. the series of vertebrae forming the axis of the skeleton and protecting the spinal cord
   • the fall broke his back

Synonyms

• backbone
• thorn
• prickle
• pricker
• sticker
• spikelet
• spur
• acantha
• spinal column
• vertebral column
• back
• rachis