the series of vertebrae forming the axis of the skeleton and protecting the spinal cord; the fall broke his back

[ Syn: spinal column , vertebral column , backbone , back , rachis ]

any sharply pointed projection

[ Syn: spur , acantha ]

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

[ Syn: thorn , prickle , pricker , sticker , spikelet ]

the part of a books cover that encloses the inner side of the books pages and that faces outward when the book is shelved; the title and author were printed on the spine of the book

[ Syn: backbone ]

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