acicula

American  

[uh-sik-yuh-luh] / əˈsɪk yə lə /

noun

plural

aciculae

1. a needlelike part; spine, bristle, or needlelike crystal.

2. a plural of aciculum.

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acicula British  

/ əˈsɪkjʊlə /

noun

1. a needle-shaped part, such as a spine, prickle, or crystal

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Other Word Forms

• acicular adjective

Etymology

Origin of acicula

1875–80; < New Latin, Late Latin, alteration of acucula ornamental pin, equivalent to Latin acu-, stem of acus needle ( acute ) + -cula -cule ¹

Example Sentences

LL. acucula for acicula, dim. of L. acus needle, pin?: cf.

From Webster's Unabridged Dictionary by Webster, Noah

Mycena acicula differs in yellow gills and rooting stem.

From European Fungus Flora: Agaricaceae by Massee, George

The banks of Aripo are not the only localities, nor is the acicula the only mollusc, by which pearls are furnished.

From Sketches of the Natural History of Ceylon by Tennent, James Emerson, Sir