Definition Synonyms
Definition of thornback - Reverso English Dictionary
Noun
1.
marineTECH. UK European ray with spines along its backTECH. UK
- The thornback ray is often seen near European coasts.
2.
pejorative termDated UK old woman considered to be ill-naturedDated UK
- In folklore, the thornback was often portrayed as a witch or crone..
Images of thornback

European ray with spines along its back
Origin of thornback
Old English, thorn (thorn) + back (back)
Examples of thornback in a sentence
The thornback is known for its distinctive spiny back. The villagers avoided the thornback who lived at the edge of town. She was unfairly labeled a thornback by her neighbors.
View all translations of thornback
Click below to see the appropriate translations facing each meaning.
- French:raie bouclée, mégère, ...
- German:Nagelrochen, alte Hexe, ...
- Italian:razza chiodata, vecchia strega, ...
- Spanish:raya espinosa, bruja, ...
- Portuguese:raia-espinhosa, bruxa velha, ...
- Chinese:刺背鳐, 恶毒老妇, ...
- Japanese:トゲエイ, 意地悪な老婆, ...
- Arabic:سَمَكَة الرَّاي الشَّوْكِيَّة, عجوز سيئة الطبع, ...
- Hebrew:רָנָה קוֹצָנִית, אִשָּׁה זְקֵנָה וְרַעַת מֶזֶג, ...
- Russian:шиповатый скат, злобная старуха, ...
- Ukrainian:скат-шипохвіст, стара відьма, ...
- Hindi:थॉर्नबैक रे, बूढ़ी औरत, ...
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