acicula
[
uh
-
sik
-y
uh
-l
uh
]
/əˈsɪk yə lə/
noun
,
plural
aciculae
[
uh
-
sik
-y
uh
-lee]
/əˈsɪk yəˌli/
(
Show IPA
)
1.
a needlelike part; spine, bristle, or needlelike crystal.
2.
a plural of
aciculum
.
Origin
1875-80;
<
Neo-Latin,
Late Latin,
alteration of
acucula
ornamental pin, equivalent to
Latin
acu-,
stem of
acus
needle (cf.
acute
) +
-cula
-cule
1
aciculum
[
uh
-
sik
-y
uh
-l
uh
m]
/əˈsɪk yə ləm/
noun
,
plural
aciculums,
acicula
[
uh
-
sik
-y
uh
-l
uh
]
/əˈsɪk yə lə/
(
Show IPA
)
1.
an
acicula
.
2.
Zoology.
one of the slender, sharp stylets embedded in the parapodia of certain annelid worms, as the polychaetes.
Origin
alteration of
acicula
British Dictionary definitions for
acicula
acicula
/
əˈsɪkjʊlə
/
noun
(
pl
)
-lae
(
-ˌliː
)
1.
a needle-shaped part, such as a spine, prickle, or crystal
Derived Forms
acicular,
adjective
Word Origin
C19: New Latin, diminutive of
acus
needle
aciculum
/
əˈsɪkjʊləm
/
noun
(
pl
)
-lums,
-la
(
-lə
)
1.
a needle-like bristle that provides internal support for the appendages (chaetae) of some polychaete worms
Word Origin
C19: New Latin; see
acicula