spiny

/'spaini/

Thân thiện

The cactus has a spiny surface that protects it from animals.

Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Covered with or having spines, thorns, or sharp points: Describes something that is physically equipped with stiff, sharp, protective projections.
   • Figuratively difficult or troublesome: Used to describe a situation, problem, or issue that is complex, prickly, or hard to handle.

Examples of Usage

• Adjective (Physical):
  • The spiny cactus is dangerous to touch.
  • Hedgehogs are small, spiny mammals.
• Adjective (Figurative):
  • The negotiations entered a spiny phase with many unresolved issues.
  • He avoided the spiny question about his past.

Advanced Usage

• "Spiny with": Intensifies the description of being covered in spines or sharp points.
  • The branch was spiny with sharp thorns.
• Used in formal or biological contexts to describe specific anatomical features.
  • The spiny dorsal fin of the fish acts as a defense mechanism.

Variants and Related Words

• Spininess (n): The quality or state of being spiny.
  • The spininess of the plant deters herbivores.
• Spined (adj): Having a spine or spines (often used in combination, e.g., long-spined).
  • It is a short-spined sea urchin.

Synonyms

• Prickly: Having many sharp points.
• Thorny: Full of or covered with thorns; (fig.) difficult.
• Bristly: Short, stiff, and prickly.
• Barbed: Having a sharp point or points.

Related Phrases/Idioms

• A spiny problem: A difficult or complicated issue.
  • The legal case presented a truly spiny problem for the team.
• To be on spiny ground: To be in a tricky, risky, or uncomfortable situation.
  • With that question, the interviewer put the candidate on spiny ground.

Học thuật

Adjective

1. having or covered with protective barbs or quills or spines or thorns or setae etc.
   • a horse with a short bristly mane
   • bristly shrubs
   • burred fruits
   • setaceous whiskers
2. having spines
   • the dorsal fin is spinous

Từ đồng nghĩa

• spinous