1. the quality or state of being spiny or having spines
Usage: technical; botanical; zoological
2. a difficult or troublesome quality; thorniness of character or situation
Usage: formal; figurative

Examples

• The spinosity of the cactus made it difficult to handle without gloves.
• Botanists study the spinosity of various plant species as a defense mechanism.
• The hedgehog’s spinosity protects it from predators.
• The spinosity of the legal case required expert consultation.
• Marine biologists noted the varying degrees of spinosity among sea urchin species.
• The spinosity of the negotiation process delayed the agreement.