spine

The line of connected bones down the middle of your back.

• Keep your spine straight.
• The fall damaged his spine.
• The doctor checked her spine for signs of injury.

Similar words: backbone, spinal column

Common phrases: injured spine, curved spine, base of spine

A stiff, sharp point growing on an animal or plant.

• A spine pricked my finger.
• The hedgehog raised its spines.
• Some fish have poisonous spines on their backs.

Similar words: prickle, thorn

Common phrases: cactus spine, sharp spine, poisonous spine

The narrow back edge of a book where its pages are held together.

• The title is on the spine.
• The old book had a cracked spine.
• She repaired the spines of several damaged books.

How to use it: spine of something (The title is printed on the spine of the book.)

Similar words: back

Common phrases: book spine, cracked spine, spine of something

The courage to stand up for yourself or do something difficult.

• Show some spine!
• He lacked the spine to challenge his boss.
• She finally showed some spine and refused to work unpaid.

Similar words: courage, backbone, nerve

Opposites: cowardice

Common phrases: have some spine, show some spine, lack spine