Thornback vs. Spinster — What's the Difference?

Any of various rays having spines on the back, especially Raja clavata, found in coastal waters of the eastern Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea.

Spinster is a term referring to an unmarried woman who is older than what is perceived as the prime age range during which women usually marry. It can also indicate that a woman is considered unlikely to ever marry.

Any animal with a thorny back, especially marine animals, such as:

An unmarried woman, typically an older woman beyond the usual age for marriage.

The thornback guitarfish (Platyrhinoidis triseriata), a species of ray in the north-eastern Pacific Ocean.

Often Offensive A woman, especially an older one, who has not married.

The thornback ray or thornback skate (Raja clavata), a species of ray in the Atlantic Ocean.

(Archaic) A person, especially a woman, whose occupation is spinning thread.

The thornback skate (Dentiraja lemprieri), a fish endemic to Australia.

A woman who has never been married, especially one past the typical marrying age according to social traditions.

(archaic) A woman over a certain age (variously 26 or 30) who has never married, older than a spinster.

One who spins (puts a spin on) a political media story so as to give something a favorable or advantageous appearance; a spin doctor, spin merchant or spinmeister.

A European skate (Raia clavata) having thornlike spines on its back.

(obsolete) Someone whose occupation was spinning thread.

The large European spider crab or king crab (Maia squinado).

(obsolete) A woman of evil life and character; so called from being forced to spin in a house of correction.

A spider; an insect (such as a silkworm) which spins thread.

A woman who spins, or whose occupation is to spin.

A man who spins.

An unmarried or single woman; - used in legal proceedings as a title, or addition to the surname.

A woman of evil life and character; - so called from being forced to spin in a house of correction.

An elderly unmarried woman

Someone who spins (who twists fibers into threads)