noun
- plural of thornback; rays or skates with spiny backs, especially the thornback ray
Usage: marine biology
Examples
- The fishermen caught several thornbacks in their nets.
- Thornbacks are commonly found in European coastal waters.
- The aquarium’s ray exhibit features both thornbacks and smooth rays.
- Marine biologists study the migration patterns of thornbacks.
- Thornbacks use their spiny backs as protection from predators.
- The thornbacks glided gracefully along the sandy ocean floor.