1. (n.) A sharp appendage to any of a plant; a thorn.
2. (n.) A rigid and sharp projection upon any part of an animal.
3. (n.) One of the rigid and undivided fin rays of a fish.
4. (n.) The backbone, or spinal column, of an animal; -- so called from the projecting processes upon the vertebrae.
5. (n.) Anything resembling the spine or backbone; a ridge.
Thesaurus Entries
advocate, alpenstock, arm, athletic supporter, back, backbone, backing, bandeau, barb, barbel, barbule, bearer, bilge, blain, bleb, blister, blob, boss, bow, bra, brace, bracer, bracket, bramble, brassiere, brier, bristle, bubble, bulb, bulge, bulla, bump, bunch, burl, burr, button, buttress, cactus, cahot, cane, carrier, catchweed, cervix, chine, cleavers, clump, col, comb, condyle, convex, corset, crook, crutch, dowel, ear, esker, flange, flap, foundation garment, fulcrum, gall, girdle, gnarl, goose grass, guy, guywire, handle, hill, hogback, horseback, hump, hunch, jock, jockstrap, jog, joggle, kame, knob, knot, knur, knurl, lip, loop, lump, mainstay, maintainer, mast, mole, mountain, neck, needle, nettle, nevus, nub, nubbin, nubble, papilloma, peg, pine needle, prickle, prong, prop, quill, rachis, ray, reinforce, reinforcement, reinforcer, rest, resting place, rib, ridge, rigging, ring, saddle, saddleback, shoulder, shroud, spicula, spicule, spiculum, spike, spikelet, spinal column, spinal cord, sprit, spur, staff, standing rigging, stave, stay, stick, sticker, stiffener, strengthener, stud, style, support, supporter, sustainer, tab, thistle, thorn, tubercle, tubercule, upholder, verruca, vertebrae, vertebral column, vesicle, wale, walking stick, wart, welt, yucca
