THORNBACK

Etymology

Noun

thornback (plural thornbacks)

Any animal with a thorny back, especially marine animals, such as

The thornback guitarfish (Platyrhinoidis triseriata), a species of ray in the north-eastern Pacific Ocean.

The thornback ray or thornback skate (Raja clavata), a species of ray in the Atlantic Ocean.

The thornback skate (Dentiraja lemprieri), a fish endemic to Australia.

(archaic) A woman over a certain age (variously 26 or 30) who has never married, older than a spinster.

Source: Wiktionary


Thorn"back`, n.

1. (Zoöl.)

Definition: A European skate (Raia clavata) having thornlike spines on its back.

2. (Zoöl.)

Definition: The large European spider crab or king crab (Maia squinado).

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition



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Word of the Day

15 June 2024

HEAVY

(adjective) (of sleep) deep and complete; “a heavy sleep”; “fell into a profound sleep”; “a sound sleeper”; “deep wakeless sleep”


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