thornback

[ thawrn-bak ]

/ ˈθɔrnˌbæk /

a skate, Raja clavata, of European waters, having short spines on the back and tail.

a California ray, Platyrhinoidis triseriatus, belonging to the guitarfish group.

Origin of thornback

Middle English word dating back to 1250–1300; see origin at thorn, back¹

"Antient maides" were held in little esteem by him; not one thornback is on his list.

Customs and Fashions in Old New England |Alice Morse Earle
The Thornback Skate is covered with prickles (placoid scales).

Stories of the Universe: Animal Life |B. Lindsay
The Thornback is another ugly fellow of this family, having spines on his back and a double row of them down his tail.

Within the Deep |R. Cadwallader Smith
The boy gave a curious half-sad smile, without turning his eyes from the thornback, and said nothing.

Weighed and Wanting |George MacDonald

It is these purses, and those of the thornback and the edible skate, that we oftenest pick up on the English coast.

Science in Arcady |Grant Allen

thornback

/ (ˈθɔːnˌbæk) /

a European ray, Raja clavata, having a row of spines along the back and tail

a similar fish, Platyrhinoidis triseriata, of the Pacific Ocean