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échine

spine

noun eh-SHEEN Rare
Body & Health Body Parts

Origin: from Old French eschine, of Germanic origin

Also means

chine (cut of pork)

Usage Note

Échine has two distinct senses: anatomically it means the spinal column or back, used especially of animals; in butchery it designates the neck-end loin of pork (une échine de porc). The expression courber l'échine (to bend one's spine) means to submit or yield — a figurative use that is common in literature and political commentary.

Examples

"Le cheval a une échine solide et bien musclée."

Natural Translation

The horse has a strong and well-muscled spine.

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