spiny

  • 1Spiny — 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

  • 2Spiny — Spin y, n. See {Spinny}. [1913 Webster] …

    The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • 3spiny — 1580s, from SPINE (Cf. spine) + Y (Cf. y) (2) …

    Etymology dictionary

  • 4spiny — ► ADJECTIVE (spinier, spiniest) 1) full of or covered with prickles. 2) informal difficult to understand or handle. DERIVATIVES spininess noun …

    English terms dictionary

  • 5spiny — [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

  • 6spiny — 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

  • 7spiny — [[t]spa͟ɪni[/t]] ADJ A spiny plant or animal is covered with long sharp points. ...a spiny lobster. ...a spiny cactus …

    English dictionary

  • 8spiny — UK [ˈspaɪnɪ] / US adjective Word forms spiny : adjective spiny comparative spinier superlative spiniest covered with sharp points spiny leaves …

    English dictionary

  • 9spiny — 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

  • 10spiny — 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