acicular

American  

[uh-sik-yuh-ler] / əˈsɪk yə lər /

adjective

1. shaped like a needle.

2. Metallurgy.

   1. (of cast iron) containing ferrite in a needlelike form.

   2. (of an alloy) having a microstructure of needlelike components.

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Other Word Forms

• acicularity noun
• acicularly adverb

Etymology

Origin of acicular

First recorded in 1785–95; acicul(a) + -ar ¹

Example Sentences

Spores of Bacidia fuscorubella to illustrate the several-celled, hyaline, acicular type.

From Ohio Biological Survey, Bull. 10, Vol. 11, No. 6 The Ascomycetes of Ohio IV and V by Hilker, Leafy Jane Corrington

One fissure was completely lined with exquisite, acicular crystals of sulphur, which perished with a touch.

From Unbeaten Tracks in Japan by Bird, Isabella L. (Isabella Lucy)

Crystals of arsenic belong to the rhombohedral system, and have a perfect cleavage parallel to the basal plane; natural crystals are, however, of rare occurrence, and are usually acicular in habit.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 2, Slice 6 "Armour Plates" to "Arundel, Earls of" by Various

It is the methyl ester of a neutral body colchicein, which may be obtained in white acicular crystals.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 6, Slice 6 "Cockaigne" to "Columbus, Christopher" by Various

Those of the beryl we sometimes find quite flat, as though they had been compressed by force: then again they are acicular and of extraordinary length, considering their slender diameter.

From Lippincott's Magazine of Popular Literature and Science Volume 11, No. 27, June, 1873 by Various