1. having spines or spine-like projections
Usage: botanical; zoological

Examples

• The spinate leaves of the cactus protect it from herbivores.
• Marine biologists studied the spinate shell of the sea urchin.
• The spinate surface of the plant made it difficult to handle without gloves.
• Fossil records show many spinate creatures from the Paleozoic era.
• The spinate projections on the insect’s exoskeleton serve as defense mechanisms.