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DictionaryquillAnimal spine
noun

quill

A stiff, sharp spine on an animal.

The porcupine raises a sharp quill among many others.

Etymology

Quill first names a feather’s stiff shaft. The similar shape and stiffness supplied the name for a sharp spine on an animal.

More examples

  • Several quills lodged in the predator's muzzle.
  • The animal's quills formed a protective barrier.
  • One loose quill lay on the path.

Forms

quill · quills

Similar words

spine
Spine is the broader biological term.
thorn
Thorn is a plant structure rather than an animal's defense.