3. (Law) An unmarried or single woman; -- used in legal proceedings as
a title, or addition to the surname.
If a gentlewoman be termed a spinster, she may abate the writ.
Coke.
4. A woman of evil life and character; -- so called from being forced
to spin in a house of correction. [Obs.]
Spin"stress (?), n. A woman who spins. T. Brown.
Spin"stry (?), n. The business of one who spins; spinning. [Obs.]
Milton.
Spin"ule (?), n. [L. spinula, dim. of spina a spine: cf. F. spinule.] A
minute spine. Dana.
Spin`u*les"cent (?), a. (Bot.) Having small spines; somewhat thorny.
{ Spin"u*lose` (?), Spin"u*lous (?) }, a. [Cf. F. spinuleux.] Covered
with small spines.
Spin"y (?), a. [From Spine.] 1. Full of spines; thorny; as, a spiny
tree.
2. Like a spine in shape; slender. "Spiny grasshoppers sit chirping."
Chapman.