New Collegiate Dictionary. 2001.
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 — 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… … Universalium
