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Zorina Posted 15 years ago
Vocabulary
Spiny, thorny and unshaven
Hi!
As I understand it’s more natural to say “a spiny hedgehog” and “a thorny cactus”, not vice-versa. Is it so?
And how can you describe an unshaven man? In my country we can compare an unshaven man with a hedgehog. For example, a woman comes up to her husband, kisses him and says: “You are so spiny/thorny today.” Although as the English word “spiny” comes from “spine” it may sound weird...
As I understand it’s more natural to say “a spiny hedgehog” and “a thorny cactus”, not vice-versa. Is it so?
And how can you describe an unshaven man? In my country we can compare an unshaven man with a hedgehog. For example, a woman comes up to her husband, kisses him and says: “You are so spiny/thorny today.” Although as the English word “spiny” comes from “spine” it may sound weird...
Top answer
No, spiny is not used - spines are much longer than these short hairs. I have heard - your face feels prickly, your face is like sandpaper, you have a five o'clock shadow.
- No, spiny is not used - spines are much longer than these short hairs.
- I have heard - your face feels prickly, your face is like sandpaper, you have a five o'clock shadow.
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3 Answers
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No, spiny is not used - spines are much longer than these short hairs.
I have heard - your face feels prickly, your face is like sandpaper, you have a five o'clock shadow.
I have heard - your face feels prickly, your face is like sandpaper, you have a five o'clock shadow.
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The only comparison of a person with a hedgehog is when their hair is sticking up, perhaps when they've first arisen from bed.
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Thank you very much, AlpheccaStars and Free_spirit, for your answers.
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