n. The state or quality of being spinescent or spiny; also, a spiny growth or covering, as of certain animals. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]
a.[ L. spinescens, -entis, p. pr. of spinescere to know to grow thorny, fr. spina a thorn: cf. F. spinescent. ] (Bot.) Becoming hard and thorny; tapering gradually to a rigid, leafless point; armed with spines. Gray. [ 1913 Webster ]