spin·y

[spahy-nee]
adjective, spin·i·er, spin·i·est.
1.
abounding in or having spines; thorny, as a plant.
2.
covered with or having sharp-pointed processes, as an animal.
3.
in the form of a spine; resembling a spine; spinelike.
4.
troublesome or difficult to handle; thorny: a spiny problem.
Origin:
1580–90; spine + -y1

Related forms
spin·i·ness, noun
non·spin·y, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Spiny is always a great word to know.
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a screen or mat covered with a dark material for shielding a camera lens from excess light or glare.
a stew of meat, vegetables, potatoes, etc.
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Collins
World English Dictionary
spiny (ˈspaɪnɪ) [Click for IPA pronunciation guide]
 
—adj , spinier, spiniest
1.  (of animals) having or covered with quills or spines
2.  (of plants) covered with spines; thorny
3.  troublesome to handle; puzzling
4.  shaped like a spine
 
'spininess
 
—n

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Example sentences
Spiny lobsters, parrotfish and grouper can also be seen.
Some males embrace females with spiny claspers in a viselike grip that causes
  damage.
She bent over to see it better, backing into a large spiny cactus.
When attacking sea urchins, triggers often flip them over, exposing their less
  spiny undersides.
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