SPINOUS

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does spinous mean? 

• SPINOUS (adjective)
  The adjective SPINOUS has 2 senses:

1. having spines

2. shaped like a spine or thorn

  Familiarity information: SPINOUS used as an adjective is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• SPINOUS (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Having spines

Synonyms:

spinous; spiny

Context example:

the dorsal fin is spinous

Antonym:

spineless (lacking spiny processes)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Shaped like a spine or thorn

Synonyms:

acanthoid; acanthous; spinous

Similar:

pointed (having a point)

Derivation:

spine (a sharp rigid animal process or appendage; as a porcupine quill or a ridge on a bone or a ray of a fish fin)

spine (a small sharp-pointed tip resembling a spike on a stem or leaf)

spine (any sharply pointed projection)

 Context examples 

In large and small animals, it is placed over the dorsal spinous process of the 7th thoracic vertebra.

(Lead Site V3, NCI Thesaurus)

A unipolar chest lead at which the electrode is placed over the dorsal spinous process of 7th thoracic vertebra.

(Lead Site V10, NCI Thesaurus)

Successive stages of differentiation of the keratinocytes forming the epidermal layers are basal cell, spinous or prickle cell, and the granular cell.

(Keratinocyte, NCI Thesaurus)

The posterior projection from the body of a vertebra that encloses the vertebral foramen; it consists of paired pedicles and laminae; the spinous, transverse, and articular processes arise from the arch. In aggregate, the venous arches-and the ligamenta flava that unite them-form the posterior wall of the vertebral (spinal) canal.

(Arch of the Vertebra, NCI Thesaurus)