- the spinal or vertebral column; backbone.
- any backbonelike part.
- a stiff, pointed process or appendage on an animal, as a quill of a porcupine, or a sharp, bony ray in the fin of a fish.
- something, as a quality or trait, that constitutes a principal strength; resolution; stamina; backbone: a situation that would test a person's spine.
- a ridge, as of ground or rock.
- a sharp-pointed, hard or woody outgrowth on a plant; thorn.
- the back of a book cover or binding, usually indicating the title and author.
- the spinal column
- the sharply pointed tip or outgrowth of a leaf, stem, etc
- a hard pointed process or structure, such as the ray of a fin, the quill of a porcupine, or the ridge on a bone
- the back of a book, record sleeve, etc
- a ridge, esp of a hill
- strength of endurance, will, etc
- anything resembling the spinal column in function or importance; main support or feature
