Meaning

• The series of bones situated at the back from the head to the pelvis of a person, or from the head to the tail of an animal; backbone, vertebral column.

• Something resembling a backbone, such as a ridge, or a long, central structure from which other structures radiate.

• A pointed, fairly rigid protuberance or needle-like structure on an animal, shell, or plant.

• The heartwood of trees.

• Courage or assertiveness.

• The stiffness of an arrow.