Spine
Definition
The term spine refers primarily to the backbone or vertebral column of a vertebrate animal, which houses and protects the spinal cord. Additionally, it can mean a thin pointed part on an animal or plant, which may serve as protection or support.
Parts of Speech
- Noun
Pronunciation
American English
- IPA Pronunciation: /spaɪn/
- Respelling: SPINE (with "SPINE" rhyming with "mine" and "fine")
British English
- IPA Pronunciation: /spaɪn/
- Respelling: SPINE (similar to American English, with "SPINE" rhyming with "mine" and "fine")
In both dialects, "spine" is pronounced with a long "i" sound, as in "mine" or "fine." The pronunciation of "spine" is consistent between American and British English, reflecting the word's simple and direct phonetic structure.
Etymology
The word "spine" is derived from the Latin word "spina," which means thorn or backbone. It entered Middle English via Old French from Latin.
Derivatives
- Spinal
- Spineless
- Spinerette
- Spined
- Spinet
Synonyms
- Backbone
- Vertebral column
- Chine
Antonyms
None
Usage
The term "spine" is extensively used in medical, biological, and everyday contexts. In anatomy, it refers to the vertebral column which is crucial for posture and movement. "Spine" also denotes a sharp, pointed structure in both fauna and flora, acting as a means of protection or support.
Related Terms
- Spinal Cord
- Spinal Column
- Spinal Disc
Detailed Definition
Noun
- Vertebral Column: The series of vertebrae extending from the skull to the lower back, encasing the spinal cord and providing support to the body.
- Example: "The spine is crucial for human posture and movement."
- Sharp Pointed Structure: A sharp, pointed, or stiff structure on an animal or plant.
- Example: "The rose bush has spines that can prick your fingers."
- Central Support: A central structural support, especially in a bookbinding where the cover meets the pages.
- Example: "The title of the book was printed on the spine."
spine
🇨🇳 Mandarin (Simplified Chinese)
- 脊椎 (jǐzhuī) [backbone]
- IPA Pronunciation: /t͡ɕi˨˩˦.ʈ͡ʂweɪ˥/
- Respelling in English: jee-zhway
- 书脊 (shūjǐ) [binding edge of a book]
- IPA Pronunciation: /ʂu˥/ /t͡ɕi˨˩˦/
- Respelling in English: shoo jee
🇮🇳 Hindi
- रीढ़ (rīḍh) [backbone]
- IPA Pronunciation: /riːɖʱ/
- Respelling in English: reedh
🇪🇸 Spanish
- columna vertebral [backbone]
- IPA Pronunciation: /koˈlum.na βeɾˈte.bɾal/
- Respelling in English: koh-LOOM-na ver-TEH-bral
- lomo [binding edge of a book]
- IPA Pronunciation: /ˈlo.mo/
- Respelling in English: LOH-mo
🇫🇷 French
- colonne vertébrale [backbone]
- IPA Pronunciation: /kɔ.lɔn vɛʁ.te.bʁal/
- Respelling in English: koh-lon ver-teh-BRAL
- dos [binding edge of a book]
- IPA Pronunciation: /do/
- Respelling in English: doh
🇸🇦 Modern Standard Arabic
- العمود الفقري (al-‘amūd al-faqarī) [backbone]
- IPA Pronunciation: /al ʕa.muːd al fa.ʔa.riː/
- Respelling in English: al-amood al-fa-qari
🇧🇩 Bengali
- মেরুদণ্ড (merudaṇḍa) [backbone]
- IPA Pronunciation: /meɾudɔnɖa/
- Respelling in English: meru-donda
🇷🇺 Russian
- позвоночник (pozvonoch'nik) [backbone]
- IPA Pronunciation: /pɐz.vɐˈnot͡ɕ.nʲɪk/
- Respelling in English: poz-vo-NOCH-nik
- корешок (koreshok) [binding edge of a book]
- IPA Pronunciation: /kɐˈrʲeʂək/
- Respelling in English: koh-RYE-shok
🇵🇹 Portuguese
- coluna vertebral [backbone]
- IPA Pronunciation: /koˈlunɐ veɾˈtʃebɾal/
- Respelling in English: koh-LOO-na ver-CHEH-bral
- lombada [binding edge of a book]
- IPA Pronunciation: /lõˈbadɐ/
- Respelling in English: lom-BAH-da
🇮🇩 Indonesian
- tulang punggung [backbone]
- IPA Pronunciation: /ˈtulɑŋ ˈpuŋːuŋ/
- Respelling in English: too-lang poong-goong
🇩🇪 German
- Wirbelsäule [backbone]
- IPA Pronunciation: /ˈvɪʁ.bəl.ˌzɔʏ.lə/
- Respelling in English: VEER-bel-zoy-le
- Buchrücken [binding edge of a book]
- IPA Pronunciation: /ˈbʊχˌʁʏk.n̩/
- Respelling in English: booch-RUEK-nen
🇯🇵 Japanese
- 脊柱 (sekichū) [backbone]
- IPA Pronunciation: /se.ki.t͡ɕuː/
- Respelling in English: se-kee-choo
🇻🇳 Vietnamese
- cột sống [backbone]
- IPA Pronunciation: /kot͡s ʂoŋ˧˧/
- Respelling in English: kot song
🇰🇷 Korean
- 척추 (cheokchu) [backbone]
- IPA Pronunciation: /t͡ʃʌk̚.t͡ɕʰu/
- Respelling in English: chuk-chu
🇹🇷 Turkish
- omurga [backbone]
- IPA Pronunciation: /oˈmur.ɡa/
- Respelling in English: oh-MOOR-gah
🇵🇰 Urdu
- ریڑھ (rīḍh) [backbone]
- IPA Pronunciation: /riːɖʱ/
- Respelling in English: reedh
