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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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