spine
pronunciation
How to pronounce spine in British English:
UK [spaɪn]
How to pronounce spine in American English:
US [ spaɪn]
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- Noun:
- the series of vertebrae forming the axis of the skeleton and protecting the spinal cord
- any pointed projection
- a sharp-pointed tip on a stem or leaf
- a sharp rigid animal process or appendage; as a porcupine quill or a ridge on a bone or a ray of a fish fin
Word Origin
- spine
- spine: [14] Spine comes via Old French espine from Latin spīna ‘thorn’, which was probably derived from the same base as spīca ‘ear of corn’ (source of English spike ‘pointed flower head’). The metaphorical extension ‘backbone’ developed in Latin, perhaps via ‘prickle’ and ‘fish bone’. A spinney [16] is etymologically a ‘thorny thicket’. The word comes via Old French espinei from Vulgar Latin *spīnēta, an alteration of Latin spīnētum ‘thorny hedge’, which was derived from spīna.=> spike, spinney
- spine (n.)
- c. 1400, "backbone," later "thornlike part" (early 15c.), from Old French espine "thorn, prickle; backbone, spine" (12c., Modern French épine), from Latin spina "backbone," originally "thorn, prickle" (figuratively, in plural, "difficulties, perplexities"), from PIE *spe-ina-, from root *spei- "sharp point" (see spike (n.1)). Meaning "the back of a book" is first attested 1922.
Example
- 1. Keep you whole spine straight and aligned for better posture .
- 2. That same month , a madman shot a bullet into his spine .
- 3. Close your eyes and imagine a ball of energy moving up your spine and into your heart .
- 4. This technique will help in relieving tension throughout your body because your spine and back muscles will loosen up .
- 5. The exercise also strengthens the abdominal muscles , and , unlike traditional push-ups , incorporates a spine and hamstring stretch .