echidna /e-kidˈnə/

A member of the genus Tachyglossus of Australian toothless, spiny, egg-laying, burrowing monotremes (also called spiny anteater)

echidˈnine noun

Snake-poison

spine /spīn/

1. A thorn, esp one formed by a modified branch or leaf
2. A long sharp process of a leaf
3. A thin, pointed spike, esp in fishes
4. The spinal column
5. Firmness of character
6. Any ridge extending lengthways
7. Heartwood
8. The back of a book
9. A pay scale organized on linear but flexible principles

spīˈna noun

1. The spinal column
2. A quill of a spinet
3. A lengthwise barrier in a Roman circus (ancient hist)

spīˈnal adjective

Of the backbone

spīˈnate or spined adjective

Having a spine or spines

spineˈless adjective

1. Having no spine
2. Weak
3. Vacillating
4. Lacking courage, esp moral courage

spineˈlessly adverb

spineˈlessness noun

spīnescˈence noun

spīnescˈent adjective

1. Tapering or developing into a spine
2. Tending to become spinous
3. Somewhat spiny

spīnifˈerous adjective

Thornbearing

spīˈniform adjective

Like a thorn

spīnigˈerous adjective

Bearing spines

spīˈnigrade adjective

Moving by means of spines, as an echinoderm does

spīˈniness noun

spīˈnose (or /-nōsˈ/) adjective

1. Full of spines
2. Thorny

spīnosˈity noun

Thorniness

spīˈnous adjective

1. Spinose
2. Like a thorn or spine in appearance (anatomy, etc)

spinˈūlāte adjective

spinūle /spinˈ or spīnˈ/ noun (biology)

A small or minute spine

spinūlescˈent adjective

spinūlifˈerous adjective

spinˈūlōse or spinˈūlous adjective

spīˈny adjective

1. Full of spines
2. Thorny
3. Troublesome
4. Perplexed

spina bifida noun see separate entry.

spinal anaesthesia noun

1. Injection of an anaesthetic into the spinal canal, producing suppression of sensation in part of the body but not unconsciousness
2. Loss of sensation in part of the body due to injury to, or disease of, the spinal cord

spinal canal noun

A passage running through the spinal column, containing the spinal cord

spinal column noun

In vertebrates, the articulated series of vertebrae extending from the skull to the tip of the tail, forming the axis of the skeleton and enclosing the spinal cord

spinal cord or spinal chord noun

The main neural axis in vertebrates

spinal tap noun (N American)

A lumbar puncture

spineˈ-bashing noun (Aust sl)

Loafing, lying down, sleeping

spineˈ-basher noun

spineˈ-chiller noun

A frightening story, thought or happening

spineˈ-chilling adjective

spineˈ-tingling adjective

Causing a frisson of fear, pleasure or excitement

spiny anteater noun

An echidna

spiny lobster noun

A marine crustacean similar to the lobster but smaller and without claws, the langouste

• dendrites
• dendritic
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• dendro-
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• Dendrocalamus
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