spiny

spiny
spininess, n.
/spuy"nee/, adj., spinier, spiniest.
1. abounding in or having spines; thorny, as a plant.
2. covered with or having sharp-pointed processes, as an animal.
3. in the form of a spine; resembling a spine; spinelike.
4. troublesome or difficult to handle; thorny: a spiny problem.
[1580-90; SPINE + -Y1]

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Universalium. 2010.

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  • Spiny — Spin y, a. [From {Spine}.] 1. Full of spines; thorny; as, a spiny tree. [1913 Webster] 2. Like a spine in shape; slender. Spiny grasshoppers sit chirping. Chapman. [1913 Webster] 3. Fig.: Abounding with difficulties or annoyances. [1913 Webster]… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Spiny — Spin y, n. See {Spinny}. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • spiny — 1580s, from SPINE (Cf. spine) + Y (Cf. y) (2) …   Etymology dictionary

  • spiny — ► ADJECTIVE (spinier, spiniest) 1) full of or covered with prickles. 2) informal difficult to understand or handle. DERIVATIVES spininess noun …   English terms dictionary

  • spiny — [spī′nē] adj. spinier, spiniest 1. covered with or having spines, thorns, or prickles 2. full of difficulties; troublesome; thorny 3. spine shaped …   English World dictionary

  • spiny — spin|y [ˈspaıni] adj a spiny animal or plant has lots of stiff sharp points →↑spine ▪ spiny sea urchins ▪ spiny bushes …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • spiny — [[t]spa͟ɪni[/t]] ADJ A spiny plant or animal is covered with long sharp points. ...a spiny lobster. ...a spiny cactus …   English dictionary

  • spiny — UK [ˈspaɪnɪ] / US adjective Word forms spiny : adjective spiny comparative spinier superlative spiniest covered with sharp points spiny leaves …   English dictionary

  • spiny — adj. (spinier, spiniest) 1 full of spines; prickly. 2 perplexing, troublesome, thorny. Phrases and idioms: spiny anteater = ECHIDNA. spiny lobster any of various large edible crustaceans of the family Palinuridae, esp. Palinuris vulgaris, with a… …   Useful english dictionary

  • spiny — adjective (spinier; est) Date: 1586 1. abounding with difficulties, obstacles, or annoyances ; thorny < spiny problems > 2. covered or armed with spines; broadly bearing spines, prickles, or thorns 3. slender and pointed like a spine • spininess …   New Collegiate Dictionary

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