--- title: S — The English dictionary with trees and pragmatics · page 79 description: The 2316 words of the English dictionary under S, every meaning for a pupil and every example with its dependency tree and pragmatics. --- [Mova](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/S/page/79/) [home](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [corpora](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/) / [dictionaries](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/) / [English dictionary](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/) / S # S — The English dictionary · page 79 [A](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/A/) · [B](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/B/) · [C](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/C/) · [D](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/D/) · [E](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/E/) · [F](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/F/) · [G](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/G/) · [H](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/H/) · [I](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/I/) · [J](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/J/) · [K](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/K/) · [L](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/L/) · [M](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/M/) · [N](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/N/) · [O](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/O/) · [P](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/P/) · [Q](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/Q/) · [R](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/R/) · [S](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/S/) · [T](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/T/) · [U](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/U/) · [V](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/V/) · [W](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/W/) · [X](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/X/) · [Y](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/Y/) · [Z](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/Z/) [1](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/S/) … [78](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/S/page/78/) **79** [80](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/S/page/80/) … [127](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/S/page/127/) **spicery** — *In Jewish tradition, meaning 1:* Spices, or a mixture of sweet-smelling plant goods that were traded.[↗](../../spicery/#m1 "tree and pragmatics") *Example:* And they sat down to eat bread; and they lifted up their eyes and looked, and, behold, a caravan of Ishmaelites came from Gilead, with their camels bearing spicery and balm and ladanum, going to carry it down to Egypt.[↗](../../spicery/#x1 "tree and pragmatics") (Torah GEN.37.25, JPS 1917)[↗](../../spicery/#x1 "tree and pragmatics") **spick** — *Everyday, meaning 1:* (old use) «Spick and span» means very clean, neat and tidy, as if brand new.[↗](../../spick/#m1 "tree and pragmatics") *Example:* Everything in the house was spick and span.[↗](../../spick/#x1 "tree and pragmatics") · Geppetto stood there, spick and span in his new clothes.[↗](../../spick/#x2 "tree and pragmatics") **spicy** — *Everyday, meaning 1:* Spicy food has a strong, hot or rich taste because it contains spices such as chilli or pepper.[↗](../../spicy/#m1 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 2:* (informal) A spicy story or piece of news is a bit shocking, exciting or naughty.[↗](../../spicy/#m2 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 3:* Spicy can also describe a sweet, warm smell like that of spices.[↗](../../spicy/#m3 "tree and pragmatics") *Example:* This curry is too spicy for me.[↗](../../spicy/#x1 "tree and pragmatics") · Do you want the mild sauce or the spicy one?[↗](../../spicy/#x2 "tree and pragmatics") · Drink some milk if your mouth burns from spicy food.[↗](../../spicy/#x3 "tree and pragmatics") · Chilli makes the soup spicier.[↗](../../spicy/#x4 "tree and pragmatics") · The spiciest wings made Dad's eyes water.[↗](../../spicy/#x5 "tree and pragmatics") · She told me some spicy gossip about the new teacher.[↗](../../spicy/#x6 "tree and pragmatics") · Spicy food is popular in many countries.[↗](../../spicy/#x7 "tree and pragmatics") **spider** — *Everyday, meaning 1:* A spider is a small animal with 8 legs that spins webs of silk to catch insects.[↗](../../spider/#m1 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 2:* Spiders are not insects; they belong to a group called arachnids.[↗](../../spider/#m2 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 3:* Most spiders are harmless to people, but a few, like some in Australia, have a dangerous bite.[↗](../../spider/#m3 "tree and pragmatics") *Example:* A spider has 8 legs.[↗](../../spider/#x1 "tree and pragmatics") · How many legs do 5 spiders have?[↗](../../spider/#x2 "tree and pragmatics") · There are spiders and beetles with 70 legs.[↗](../../spider/#x3 "tree and pragmatics") · She saw 3 spiders in the web.[↗](../../spider/#x4 "tree and pragmatics") · A spider is not an insect because it has 8 legs.[↗](../../spider/#x5 "tree and pragmatics") · The spider spun a web between two branches.[↗](../../spider/#x6 "tree and pragmatics") · Incy Wincy Spider climbed up the water spout.[↗](../../spider/#x7 "tree and pragmatics") · In Australia, do not touch a redback spider.[↗](../../spider/#x8 "tree and pragmatics") · "Good father Spider! please not to kill me.[↗](../../spider/#x9 "tree and pragmatics") · Whose confidence is gossamer, and whose trust is a spider's web.[↗](../../spider/#x10 "tree and pragmatics") (Writings JOB.8.14, JPS 1917)[↗](../../spider/#x10 "tree and pragmatics") · The spider thou canst take with the hands, yet is she in kings' palaces.[↗](../../spider/#x11 "tree and pragmatics") (Writings PRO.30.28, JPS 1917)[↗](../../spider/#x11 "tree and pragmatics") · They hatch basilisks' eggs, and weave the spider's web; he that eateth of their eggs dieth, and that which is crushed breaketh out into a viper.[↗](../../spider/#x12 "tree and pragmatics") (Prophets ISA.59.5, JPS 1917)[↗](../../spider/#x12 "tree and pragmatics") **spike** — *Everyday, meaning 1:* A spike is a thin, sharp point, like on a fence, a cactus or a hedgehog.[↗](../../spike/#m1 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 2:* A spike is a sudden, sharp rise: «a spike in temperature».[↗](../../spike/#m2 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 3:* (verb) To spike means to rise suddenly, or to stick a sharp point into something.[↗](../../spike/#m3 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 4:* (verb, informal) To spike a drink means to secretly put alcohol or a drug in it, which is dangerous and against the law.[↗](../../spike/#m4 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 5:* Spikes are running shoes with short metal points on the bottom for grip.[↗](../../spike/#m5 "tree and pragmatics") *Example:* The cactus is covered in sharp spikes.[↗](../../spike/#x1 "tree and pragmatics") · The fence had spikes on top to stop people climbing.[↗](../../spike/#x2 "tree and pragmatics") · There was a spike in the graph when we started running.[↗](../../spike/#x3 "tree and pragmatics") · The temperature spiked in the afternoon.[↗](../../spike/#x4 "tree and pragmatics") · Sprinters wear spikes for better grip.[↗](../../spike/#x5 "tree and pragmatics") · She jumped and spiked the volleyball over the net.[↗](../../spike/#x6 "tree and pragmatics") · Never leave your drink alone, in case someone spikes it.[↗](../../spike/#x7 "tree and pragmatics") · The cleric spiked forward his chin, and then butted forward his brow.[↗](../../spike/#x8 "tree and pragmatics") **spikenard** — *In Jewish tradition, meaning 1:* A sweet-smelling oil or perfume made from the root of a plant from the Himalayan mountains.[↗](../../spikenard/#m1 "tree and pragmatics") *Example:* While the king sat at his table, my spikenard sent forth its fragrance.[↗](../../spikenard/#x1 "tree and pragmatics") (Writings SNG.1.12, JPS 1917)[↗](../../spikenard/#x1 "tree and pragmatics") · Thy shoots are a park of pomegranates, with precious fruits; henna with spikenard plants, (Writings SNG.4.13, JPS 1917)[↗](../../spikenard/#x2 "tree and pragmatics") · Spikenard and saffron, calamus and cinnamon, with all trees of frankincense; myrrh and aloes, with all the chief spices.[↗](../../spikenard/#x3 "tree and pragmatics") (Writings SNG.4.14, JPS 1917)[↗](../../spikenard/#x3 "tree and pragmatics") **spiky** — *Everyday, meaning 1:* Something spiky has many sharp points sticking out: a spiky cactus, a spiky shell.[↗](../../spiky/#m1 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 2:* Spiky hair is stiff and sticks up in points.[↗](../../spiky/#m2 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 3:* (informal) A spiky person is easily annoyed and unfriendly.[↗](../../spiky/#m3 "tree and pragmatics") *Example:* Hedgehogs have spiky backs.[↗](../../spiky/#x1 "tree and pragmatics") · Don't touch the cactus, it's very spiky.[↗](../../spiky/#x2 "tree and pragmatics") · He used gel to make his hair spiky.[↗](../../spiky/#x3 "tree and pragmatics") · The conker case is green and spiky.[↗](../../spiky/#x4 "tree and pragmatics") · A spiky shape has lots of points, like a star.[↗](../../spiky/#x5 "tree and pragmatics") · Grandpa gets a bit spiky when he is tired.[↗](../../spiky/#x6 "tree and pragmatics") · The sea urchin is the spikiest thing in the rock pool.[↗](../../spiky/#x7 "tree and pragmatics") **spill** — *Everyday, meaning 1:* To spill means to let a liquid or small pieces fall out of a container by accident.[↗](../../spill/#m1 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 2:* A spill is liquid or stuff that has been spilled.[↗](../../spill/#m2 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 3:* To spill also means to come out over the edge: «crowds spilled into the street».[↗](../../spill/#m3 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 4:* «Spill the beans» means to tell a secret.[↗](../../spill/#m4 "tree and pragmatics") *Example:* Oops, I spilled my juice on the table\![↗](../../spill/#x1 "tree and pragmatics") · Wipe up that spill before someone slips.[↗](../../spill/#x2 "tree and pragmatics") · Carry your cup carefully so it doesn't spill.[↗](../../spill/#x3 "tree and pragmatics") · Hot tea spilled on his hand and burned him.[↗](../../spill/#x4 "tree and pragmatics") · The oil spill hurt many seabirds.[↗](../../spill/#x5 "tree and pragmatics") · Rice spilled all over the floor.[↗](../../spill/#x6 "tree and pragmatics") · Come on, spill the beans, who is it?[↗](../../spill/#x7 "tree and pragmatics") · Don't cry over spilt milk.[↗](../../spill/#x8 "tree and pragmatics") · The water was all spilled upon the ground.[↗](../../spill/#x9 "tree and pragmatics") · And Onan knew that the seed would not be his; and it came to pass when he went in unto his brother's wife, that he spilled it on the ground, lest he should give seed to his brother.[↗](../../spill/#x10 "tree and pragmatics") (Torah GEN.38.9, JPS 1917)[↗](../../spill/#x10 "tree and pragmatics") **spillage** — *Everyday, meaning 1:* A spillage is an amount of liquid or other stuff that has spilled out by accident.[↗](../../spillage/#m1 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 2:* Spillage is the act of spilling, as in "oil spillage".[↗](../../spillage/#m2 "tree and pragmatics") *Example:* Please tell a teacher about any spillage in the lab.[↗](../../spillage/#x1 "tree and pragmatics") · There was a milk spillage in the dinner hall.[↗](../../spillage/#x2 "tree and pragmatics") · A yellow sign warned of a spillage on the shop floor.[↗](../../spillage/#x3 "tree and pragmatics") · The oil spillage killed hundreds of seabirds.[↗](../../spillage/#x4 "tree and pragmatics") · The cleaners mopped up the spillage straight away.[↗](../../spillage/#x5 "tree and pragmatics") · The lorry crashed and caused a spillage of paint on the road.[↗](../../spillage/#x6 "tree and pragmatics") **spin** — *Everyday, meaning 1:* To spin is to turn round and round quickly.[↗](../../spin/#m1 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 2:* To spin something is to make it turn round quickly, like a top.[↗](../../spin/#m2 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 3:* To spin is to make thread by twisting fibres, or (for spiders) to make a web.[↗](../../spin/#m3 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 4:* A spin is a short ride in a car or on a bike for fun.[↗](../../spin/#m4 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 5:* If your head spins, you feel dizzy or confused.[↗](../../spin/#m5 "tree and pragmatics") *Example:* The Earth spins once every day.[↗](../../spin/#x1 "tree and pragmatics") · The top spun on the table.[↗](../../spin/#x2 "tree and pragmatics") · Spiders spin webs to catch flies.[↗](../../spin/#x3 "tree and pragmatics") · My head is spinning from all that information.[↗](../../spin/#x4 "tree and pragmatics") · Let's go for a spin on our bikes.[↗](../../spin/#x5 "tree and pragmatics") · She spun round when she heard her name.[↗](../../spin/#x6 "tree and pragmatics") · In the past, people spun wool on a spinning wheel.[↗](../../spin/#x7 "tree and pragmatics") · Spin, sew, and weave--that is all your learning.[↗](../../spin/#x8 "tree and pragmatics") · And all the women that were wise-hearted did spin with their hands, and brought that which they had spun, the blue, and the purple, the scarlet, and the fine linen.[↗](../../spin/#x9 "tree and pragmatics") (Torah EXO.35.25, JPS 1917)[↗](../../spin/#x9 "tree and pragmatics") **spinach** — *Everyday, meaning 1:* Spinach is a dark green leafy vegetable that can be eaten raw in salads or cooked.[↗](../../spinach/#m1 "tree and pragmatics") *Example:* Mum puts spinach in the pasta sauce.[↗](../../spinach/#x1 "tree and pragmatics") · Popeye eats spinach to get strong.[↗](../../spinach/#x2 "tree and pragmatics") · A big pile of spinach shrinks to a small spoonful when you cook it.[↗](../../spinach/#x3 "tree and pragmatics") · We grew spinach in the school garden.[↗](../../spinach/#x4 "tree and pragmatics") · Baby spinach is nice in a salad.[↗](../../spinach/#x5 "tree and pragmatics") · Spinach has lots of vitamins.[↗](../../spinach/#x6 "tree and pragmatics") · And certainly it was a cow, a fine red cow, fat and flourishing, and looking as if it had been fed all its days on spinach.[↗](../../spinach/#x7 "tree and pragmatics") **spinal** — *Everyday, meaning 1:* To do with the spine (backbone) or the spinal cord.[↗](../../spinal/#m1 "tree and pragmatics") *Example:* The spinal cord carries messages from the brain to the body.[↗](../../spinal/#x1 "tree and pragmatics") · The spinal column is made of small bones called vertebrae.[↗](../../spinal/#x2 "tree and pragmatics") · Never dive into shallow water — you could get a spinal injury.[↗](../../spinal/#x3 "tree and pragmatics") · A helmet and seat belt help prevent spinal injuries.[↗](../../spinal/#x4 "tree and pragmatics") · Fish, birds and mammals have spinal columns.[↗](../../spinal/#x5 "tree and pragmatics") · After the accident, he needed spinal surgery.[↗](../../spinal/#x6 "tree and pragmatics") · Don't move someone who might have a spinal injury.[↗](../../spinal/#x7 "tree and pragmatics") · The nurse explained what the spinal cord does.[↗](../../spinal/#x8 "tree and pragmatics") **spindle** — *Everyday, meaning 1:* A thin, pointed stick used in hand spinning to twist wool or other fibres into thread.[↗](../../spindle/#m1 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 2:* A rod or pin in a machine that turns round, or around which something turns.[↗](../../spindle/#m2 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 3:* (adjective form spindly) Long and thin, like spindly legs.[↗](../../spindle/#m3 "tree and pragmatics") *Example:* The princess pricked her finger on the spindle.[↗](../../spindle/#x1 "tree and pragmatics") · The woman twisted the wool onto her spindle.[↗](../../spindle/#x2 "tree and pragmatics") · The spinning wheel has a spindle that turns very fast.[↗](../../spindle/#x3 "tree and pragmatics") · Spiders have long, spindly legs.[↗](../../spindle/#x4 "tree and pragmatics") · The door handle fell off its spindle.[↗](../../spindle/#x5 "tree and pragmatics") · Before mills, all thread was made with a spindle.[↗](../../spindle/#x6 "tree and pragmatics") · This good woman had never heard of the King's proclamation against spindles.[↗](../../spindle/#x7 "tree and pragmatics") · She layeth her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle.[↗](../../spindle/#x8 "tree and pragmatics") (Writings PRO.31.19, JPS 1917)[↗](../../spindle/#x8 "tree and pragmatics") **spine** — *Everyday, meaning 1:* The row of small bones (vertebrae) down the middle of your back, also called the backbone.[↗](../../spine/#m1 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 2:* A sharp, pointed part on an animal or plant, like the spines of a hedgehog or a cactus.[↗](../../spine/#m2 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 3:* The back edge of a book, where the pages are joined and the title is usually printed.[↗](../../spine/#m3 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 4:* Courage: having the spine to do something.[↗](../../spine/#m4 "tree and pragmatics") *Example:* Your spine is made of 33 small bones.[↗](../../spine/#x1 "tree and pragmatics") · Hedgehogs have sharp spines.[↗](../../spine/#x2 "tree and pragmatics") · Careful — cactus spines are prickly.[↗](../../spine/#x3 "tree and pragmatics") · Read the title on the spine of the book.[↗](../../spine/#x4 "tree and pragmatics") · Animals with a spine are called vertebrates.[↗](../../spine/#x5 "tree and pragmatics") · The ghost story sent shivers down my spine.[↗](../../spine/#x6 "tree and pragmatics") · Sit up straight to look after your spine.[↗](../../spine/#x7 "tree and pragmatics") · A fish's spine runs from its head to its tail.[↗](../../spine/#x8 "tree and pragmatics") · They climbed up the dragon's side and dumped the children down on his icy spine, with their backs against the North Pole.[↗](../../spine/#x9 "tree and pragmatics") **spinner** — *Everyday, meaning 1:* A spinner is a thing that spins, like a game spinner with a pointer that shows a number or colour.[↗](../../spinner/#m1 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 2:* In cricket, a spinner is a bowler who makes the ball spin.[↗](../../spinner/#m2 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 3:* A spinner is a person who spins wool or thread.[↗](../../spinner/#m3 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 4:* A fidget spinner is a small toy that spins on your finger.[↗](../../spinner/#m4 "tree and pragmatics") *Example:* Spin the spinner to see how many spaces to move.[↗](../../spinner/#x1 "tree and pragmatics") · The spinner landed on red three times.[↗](../../spinner/#x2 "tree and pragmatics") · On a spinner with 6 equal parts, the chance of blue is 1 in 6.[↗](../../spinner/#x3 "tree and pragmatics") · Australia's spinner took five wickets.[↗](../../spinner/#x4 "tree and pragmatics") · My fidget spinner whirls for a minute.[↗](../../spinner/#x5 "tree and pragmatics") · In the old days, spinners made thread from wool.[↗](../../spinner/#x6 "tree and pragmatics") · ‘Why didn’t you come?’ he asked the pretty spinner.[↗](../../spinner/#x7 "tree and pragmatics") **spinning** — *Everyday, meaning 1:* Spinning means turning round and round quickly on the spot.[↗](../../spinning/#m1 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 2:* Spinning is making thread by twisting wool or cotton fibres, like on a spinning wheel.[↗](../../spinning/#m2 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 3:* A spider is spinning when it makes silk to build a web.[↗](../../spinning/#m3 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 4:* If your head is spinning, you feel dizzy or very confused.[↗](../../spinning/#m4 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 5:* Spinning is also an exercise on a bike that stays in one place.[↗](../../spinning/#m5 "tree and pragmatics") *Example:* The Earth is spinning all the time.[↗](../../spinning/#x1 "tree and pragmatics") · The top kept spinning on the table.[↗](../../spinning/#x2 "tree and pragmatics") · We were spinning round on the playground roundabout.[↗](../../spinning/#x3 "tree and pragmatics") · The spider was spinning a web in the corner.[↗](../../spinning/#x4 "tree and pragmatics") · After the ride my head was spinning.[↗](../../spinning/#x5 "tree and pragmatics") · Keep your fingers away from the spinning fan.[↗](../../spinning/#x6 "tree and pragmatics") · In the fairy tale, the princess pricked her finger on a spinning wheel.[↗](../../spinning/#x7 "tree and pragmatics") · The washing machine is spinning the clothes dry.[↗](../../spinning/#x8 "tree and pragmatics") · A young housewife was spinning late one evening.[↗](../../spinning/#x9 "tree and pragmatics") **spinster** — *Everyday, meaning 1:* A spinster is a woman who has never married, usually an older one (old-fashioned).[↗](../../spinster/#m1 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 2:* (old use) A spinster was once a woman whose job was spinning thread.[↗](../../spinster/#m2 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 3:* In old legal papers spinster was the word for an unmarried woman (law, old).[↗](../../spinster/#m3 "tree and pragmatics") *Example:* In the old story, the spinster lived alone with her cats.[↗](../../spinster/#x1 "tree and pragmatics") · Great-aunt Molly was a spinster all her life and loved travelling.[↗](../../spinster/#x2 "tree and pragmatics") · The marriage record called her «spinster» because she had not been married before.[↗](../../spinster/#x3 "tree and pragmatics") · Long ago spinsters spun wool into thread.[↗](../../spinster/#x4 "tree and pragmatics") · Calling someone «an old spinster» is rude.[↗](../../spinster/#x5 "tree and pragmatics") · The book is about two spinster sisters who run a shop.[↗](../../spinster/#x6 "tree and pragmatics") · “Oh dear, oh dear,” cried Wendy, “I’m sure I sometimes think that spinsters are to be envied.”[↗](../../spinster/#x7 "tree and pragmatics") **spiny** — *Everyday, meaning 1:* Spiny means covered with spines — sharp, stiff points like thorns or prickles.[↗](../../spiny/#m1 "tree and pragmatics") *Example:* A hedgehog has a spiny back.[↗](../../spiny/#x1 "tree and pragmatics") · The echidna, or spiny anteater, lives in Australia.[↗](../../spiny/#x2 "tree and pragmatics") · Cactuses have spiny stems to stop animals eating them.[↗](../../spiny/#x3 "tree and pragmatics") · Don't step on that spiny sea urchin.[↗](../../spiny/#x4 "tree and pragmatics") · The spiny fish puffed itself up.[↗](../../spiny/#x5 "tree and pragmatics") · Holly leaves are spiny at the edges.[↗](../../spiny/#x6 "tree and pragmatics") · Spiny lobsters have no big claws, just spiky shells.[↗](../../spiny/#x7 "tree and pragmatics") **spiracle** — *Everyday, meaning 1:* A spiracle is a tiny breathing hole in the side of an insect's or spider's body.[↗](../../spiracle/#m1 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 2:* In some fish, like sharks and rays, and in whales, a spiracle is a breathing opening on the head (a whale's blowhole is sometimes called this).[↗](../../spiracle/#m2 "tree and pragmatics") *Example:* Insects breathe through spiracles.[↗](../../spiracle/#x1 "tree and pragmatics") · We saw the spiracles on the caterpillar's side with a magnifying glass.[↗](../../spiracle/#x2 "tree and pragmatics") · Air enters through the spiracles and travels down tubes.[↗](../../spiracle/#x3 "tree and pragmatics") · A stingray has spiracles behind its eyes.[↗](../../spiracle/#x4 "tree and pragmatics") · Spiracles can close to keep water out.[↗](../../spiracle/#x5 "tree and pragmatics") · Insects have no lungs, only spiracles and air tubes.[↗](../../spiracle/#x6 "tree and pragmatics") **spiral** — *Everyday, meaning 1:* A spiral is a curve that winds round and round a centre point, getting further away or closer each time, like the shape of a snail shell.[↗](../../spiral/#m1 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 2:* A spiral is also a shape that winds upward like a spring or a corkscrew: «a spiral staircase».[↗](../../spiral/#m2 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 3:* (verb) To spiral means to move in a spiral, or to get quickly worse or bigger: «prices spiralled».[↗](../../spiral/#m3 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 4:* (figurative) «A downward spiral» is when things keep getting worse.[↗](../../spiral/#m4 "tree and pragmatics") *Example:* A snail's shell is a spiral.[↗](../../spiral/#x1 "tree and pragmatics") · We climbed the spiral staircase to the top of the tower.[↗](../../spiral/#x2 "tree and pragmatics") · The Milky Way is a spiral galaxy.[↗](../../spiral/#x3 "tree and pragmatics") · The leaf spiralled down to the ground.[↗](../../spiral/#x4 "tree and pragmatics") · Sunflower seeds grow in spirals.[↗](../../spiral/#x5 "tree and pragmatics") · Write it in your spiral notebook.[↗](../../spiral/#x6 "tree and pragmatics") · Prices spiralled when there was not enough food.[↗](../../spiral/#x7 "tree and pragmatics") · The staircase was of cast iron, spiral, broad and easy.[↗](../../spiral/#x8 "tree and pragmatics") [1](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/S/) … [78](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/S/page/78/) **79** [80](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/S/page/80/) … [127](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/S/page/127/) - ← previous: [page 78](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/S/page/78/) - next →: [page 80](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/S/page/80/) - ↑ back to [The English dictionary](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/)