spine
Book's titled edge
The spine is the column of vertebrae running down the center of the back, protecting the spinal cord and supporting the body's structure.
By extension, spine refers to any central supporting element: the spine of a book is the bound edge where pages attach.
A spine can also be a sharp, stiff projection—cactus spines, a porcupine's spines.
Figuratively, spine means courage or resolve: He doesn't have the spine to stand up to them.
Interlocking bones of spine
sacrum · coccyx · cord · column · intervertebral · foramen · facet · canal
Vertebral column, or courage
- fortitudeEnduring courage under pain
- gritDetermination or abrasive particles
- mettleStrength of character
- resolveFirmness of purpose
determination · nerve · pluck · tenacity · steadfastness · character · strength · will
Legally or morally required
- pagesBound paper sheets
- coverProtect by overlaying
- hardcoverRigid-bound book format
- paperbackBook with flexible cover
glue · sewn · cracked · broken · stiff · lettering · title · dust jacket
Handwritten name for verification
- sectionDistinct divided part
- gatheringCollection of people meeting
- headbandForehead-worn fabric strip
- hingeMovable connecting joint
case · lining · mull · backing · rounding · gilding · stamping · tooling
Spinal column animal
- chordateNotochord-possessing animal
- skeletonInternal supportive framework
- notochordEmbryonic axial support structure
- dorsalOf the back
column · fish · mammal · reptile · amphibian · evolutionary · segmented · protective
Narrow raised strip
- crestHighest point or tuft
- mountainTall natural landmass
- rangeExtent of variation
- escarpmentSteep slope dividing elevations
sierra · cordillera · peak · arête · hogback · watershed · continental · divide
vertebrae
Interlocking bones of spine
thoracic · sacrum · coccyx · cord · column · intervertebral · foramen · facet · canal · curvature
backbone
Vertebral column, or courage
- fortitudeEnduring courage under pain
- gritDetermination or abrasive particles
- mettleStrength of character
resolve · determination · nerve · pluck · tenacity · steadfastness · character · strength · will · firmness
binding
Legally or morally required
paperback · glue · sewn · cracked · broken · stiff · lettering · title · dust jacket · shelf
signature
Handwritten name for verification
hinge · case · lining · mull · backing · rounding · gilding · stamping · tooling · endpaper
vertebrate
Spinal column animal
- chordateNotochord-possessing animal
- skeletonInternal supportive framework
- notochordEmbryonic axial support structure
dorsal · column · fish · mammal · reptile · amphibian · evolutionary · segmented · protective · neural
ridge
Narrow raised strip
escarpment · sierra · cordillera · peak · arête · hogback · watershed · continental · divide · elevation
stroke
Sudden brain blood blockage
- stemPlant's central axis
- verticalAt right angles groundward
- letterformA character's visual structure
glyph · serif · weight · contrast · thick · thin · roman · italic · upright · character
spinecowardice
Absence of bravery
spinelessness · cowardliness · timidity · weakness · gutlessness
spineflexibility
Ability to adapt easily
softness · soft tissue · pliability · cartilage · flaccidity
- sent shivers down someone's spineCaused intense fear reaction
- spinal cordBrain's extension through vertebrae
- down the spine
- spinal tapCerebrospinal fluid sampling procedure
- spinal injuryTrauma to vertebral column
- spinal columnSegmented skeletal axis
spiny, spineless, spines, spinal, spinelessness, spinel, spined, spinelike, spine-board