| spina bifida |
a congenital defect in which part of the spinal cord protrudes from the spinal column, often resulting in severe neurological disorders. |
| spinach |
a leafy green plant widely cultivated as a vegetable. |
| spinal |
of, pertaining to, affecting, or near the spine or spinal cord. [3 definitions] |
| spinal anesthesia |
partial or complete anesthesia produced by injecting an anesthetic directly into the spinal cord. |
| spinal column |
in vertebrate animals, the row of vertebrae linked together to form the axis of the skeleton and protect the spinal cord; spine; backbone. |
| spinal cord |
the thick cord of nerve tissue that extends through the inner canal of the spinal column from the base of the brain to the end of the spine of any vertebrate animal. |
| spindle |
a thin notched rod with tapered ends, on which thread is twisted and wound as it is spun. [9 definitions] |
| spindlelegs |
long thin legs. [2 definitions] |
| spindly |
long or tall, slender, and usu. frail or weak-looking. |
| spin doctor |
(slang) a representative, esp. of a politician, who gives a favorable interpretation for utterances and decisions. |
| spindrift |
spray blown from waves by the wind. |
| spine |
the backbone in vertebrates; spinal column. [4 definitions] |
| spinel |
any of a group of hard, crystalline mineral oxides containing magnesium and aluminum, the red variety of which is used as a gem. |
| spineless |
having no courage, conviction, or will power; irresolute. [3 definitions] |
| spinet |
a small, low, upright piano. [3 definitions] |
| spin kick |
a martial arts move in which a person jumps spinning into the air to deliver a kick. |
| spinless |
combined form of spin. |
| spinnaker |
a large, triangular, usu. brightly colored or striped sail set on a long spar and swung out opposite the mainsail when the wind is coming from behind the boat, used esp. in sailboat and yacht racing. |
| spinner |
a person or thing that spins. [4 definitions] |
| spinneret |
an organ in spiders and caterpillars that produces the silky thread for webs and cocoons. [2 definitions] |
| spinning |
the act or process of making thread or yarn from fibers or filaments. [2 definitions] |