espinhela

Portuguese

Etymology

From espinha +‎ -ela.

Pronunciation

 

• (Brazil) IPA^(key): /is.pĩˈɲɛ.lɐ/ [is.pĩˈj̃ɛ.lɐ], /es.pĩˈɲɛ.lɐ/ [es.pĩˈj̃ɛ.lɐ]

• (Brazil) IPA^(key): /is.pĩˈɲɛ.lɐ/ [is.pĩˈj̃ɛ.lɐ], /es.pĩˈɲɛ.lɐ/ [es.pĩˈj̃ɛ.lɐ]
  • (Rio de Janeiro) IPA^(key): /iʃ.pĩˈɲɛ.lɐ/ [iʃ.pĩˈj̃ɛ.lɐ], /eʃ.pĩˈɲɛ.lɐ/ [eʃ.pĩˈj̃ɛ.lɐ]
  • (Southern Brazil) IPA^(key): /es.piˈɲɛ.la/

• (Portugal) IPA^(key): /(i)ʃ.piˈɲɛ.lɐ/

• Rhymes: -ɛlɐ
• Hyphenation: es‧pi‧nhe‧la

Noun

espinhela f (plural espinhelas)

1. (informal) xiphoid appendix (terminal and cartilaginous part of the sternum)
2. (informal) any pain or illness that causes depression or prostration
3. (zoology) appendicular, keel-like formation on the sternum of birds
4. (ichthyology) Gasterosteus aculeatus (a carnivorous fish found in temperate regions of the northern hemisphere. It reaches a length of around ten centimeters and has a dorsal fin preceded by spines that erupt in case of danger.)

Derived terms

• ter a espinhela caída