épineux
thorny, prickly
adjective ay-pee-NUH Rare
Origin: Latin spinosus, influenced by épine 'thorn'
Also means
tricky, sensitive (topic)
Usage Note
Épineux describes both literally thorny plants and figuratively delicate situations: une question épineuse is a thorny question. The feminine is épineuse; the related noun épine means a thorn or spine, and épine dorsale is the backbone.
Examples
"Ce sujet est particulièrement épineux."
Natural Translation
This subject is particularly thorny.

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