espina

thorn

noun es-PEE-nah Rare

Also means

fish bone

Usage Note

Espina means both the thorn of a plant and the bone in a fish (espina de pescado). The spine/backbone is columna vertebral in clinical language, but espina dorsal is a common synonym. The idiom tener una espina clavada ('to have a thorn stuck in one') describes a lingering resentment or unresolved hurt. The adjective espinoso means 'thorny/prickly' and, figuratively, 'tricky'.

Examples

"Me pinché con una espina al cortar las rosas."

Natural Translation

I pricked myself on a thorn while cutting the roses.

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