spiny Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. adjective having spines
    spinous.
    • the dorsal fin is spinous
  2. adjective satellite having or covered with protective barbs or quills or spines or thorns or setae etc.
    barbed; burry; briary; bristly; briery; setaceous; thorny; barbellate; prickly; burred; setose; bristled.
    • a horse with a short bristly mane
    • bristly shrubs
    • burred fruits
    • setaceous whiskers

WordNet

Spin"y adjective
Etymology
From Spine.
Definitions
  1. Full of spines; thorny; as, a spiny tree.
  2. Like a spine in shape; slender. "Spiny grasshoppers sit chirping." Chapman.
  3. Fig.: Abounding with difficulties or annoyances.
    The spiny deserts of scholastic philosophy. Bp. Warburton.
Spin"y noun
Definitions
  1. See Spinny.

Webster 1913