Standard Lemma guide

spinelessness

noun · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • /ˈspɑɪn.ləs.nəs/

1

noun

Meaning 1

The state or quality of being spineless (not having a spine (literally or figuratively)); cowardice.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: uncountable

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

the quality of lacking a strong character; an irresolute disposition

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: meekness, subduedness

History

Etymology

Etymology tree English spineless Proto-Germanic *-inōną Proto-Indo-European *-dyé- Proto-Germanic *-atjaną Proto-Indo-European *-tus Proto-Germanic *-þuz Proto-Germanic *-assuz Proto-Germanic *-inassuz Proto-West Germanic *-nassī Old English -nes Middle English -nesse English -ness English spinelessness From spineless + -ness.

Across languages

Translations

10 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • German: Rückgratlosigkeit — state or quality of being spineless (not having a spine)
  • German: Willenlosigkeit — state or quality of being spineless (not having a spine)
  • Hungarian: gerinctelenség — state or quality of being spineless (not having a spine)
  • Polish: bezkręgowość — state or quality of being spineless (not having a spine)
  • Russian: бесхара́ктерность (besxarákternostʹ) — state or quality of being spineless (not having a spine)
  • Russian: мягкоте́лость (mjaxkotélostʹ) — state or quality of being spineless (not having a spine)
  • Russian: безво́лие (bezvólije) — state or quality of being spineless (not having a spine)
  • Russian: слабохара́ктерность (slaboxarákternostʹ) — state or quality of being spineless (not having a spine)
  • Polish: tchórzliwość — cowardice
  • Polish: tchórzostwo — cowardice