columbine

Pronounced: KOL-um-bine, noun/adj

Notes: This is another multiple-source words. I know one meaning, but there are three different meanings for the noun and one for the adjective. I know one of the noun meanings. Which ones do you know?

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Yesterday’s word

As I mentioned yesterday, I knew that spinous meant “having spines”, but I did not know that it could mean “difficult or unpleasant to handle or meet” (similar to thorny)

Background / Comments

I’ve read or used the phrase “a thorny situation” for one that is difficult; “a spinuous situation” could also be used. In fact, as far as I can tell, this usage of spinous pre-dates thorny.

First usage

This usage goes back to the late 1500s