- the row of small bones that are connected together down the middle of the back synonym backbone
- A shiver went down my spine.
- the nerves in the spine
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- fractured
- cervical
- lumbar
- …
- bend
- curve
- straighten
- …
- in the/your spine
- the base of the spine
- the length of somebody’s spine
- curvature of the spine
- …
- the central feature of something or the main source of its strength
- These speeches form the spine of his election campaign.
- strength of character
- Their protests stiffened the spines of party activists.
- The legislature must grow a spine and demand these changes.
- any of the sharp, pointed parts like needles on some plants and animals
- Porcupines use their spines to protect themselves.
Extra ExamplesTopics Plants and treesc2, Animalsc2- Hedgehogs are covered with sharp spines.
- Once embedded in the skin, these savage spines are difficult to dislodge.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- sharp
- fine
- poisonous
- …
- bear
- have
- the narrow part of the cover of a book that the pages are joined toTopics Literature and writingc2
Word Originlate Middle English: shortening of Old French espine, or from Latin spina ‘thorn, prickle, backbone’.
Check pronunciation:
spine