[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/spine/)

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# spine

noun (a spine, spines)

«spine» in the English dictionary: everyday — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. The row of small bones (vertebrae) down the middle of your back, also called the backbone. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/spine/#m1)
2. A sharp, pointed part on an animal or plant, like the spines of a hedgehog or a cactus. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/spine/#m2)
3. The back edge of a book, where the pages are joined and the title is usually printed. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/spine/#m3)
4. Courage: having the spine to do something. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/spine/#m4)

### In the lessons

In science, the spine protects the spinal cord, which carries messages between the brain and the body. Animals with a backbone are vertebrates (fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, mammals); animals without are invertebrates (insects, worms, slugs, jellyfish). In safety, sitting well and lifting with your legs protects your spine; never move someone who may have hurt their neck or back — call for help. In libraries, the spine shows the title so you can find books on a shelf. Phrases: "spine-chilling" (scary), "a book spine", "cactus spines", "shivers down my spine".

### Examples

- Your spine is made of 33 small bones. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/spine/#x1)
- Hedgehogs have sharp spines. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/spine/#x2)
- Careful — cactus spines are prickly. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/spine/#x3)
- Read the title on the spine of the book. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/spine/#x4)
- Animals with a spine are called vertebrates. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/spine/#x5)
- The ghost story sent shivers down my spine. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/spine/#x6)
- Sit up straight to look after your spine. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/spine/#x7)
- A fish's spine runs from its head to its tail. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/spine/#x8)
- They climbed up the dragon's side and dumped the children down on his icy spine, with their backs against the North Pole. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/spine/#x9)

### Note

Countable: a spine, spines. Adjective: spinal (spinal cord). "Spineless" means without a backbone or, about people, not brave. Most adults have 33 vertebrae, some of which join together. Hedgehog spines are hollow hairs; porcupines have quills.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «spine» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/spine/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«spine» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/spine.html) on Mova free.