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

In igneous rocks of all kinds it is invariably present in small amounts as minute acicular crystals, and was one of the first constituents of the rock to crystallize out from the magma.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 2, Slice 2 "Anjar" to "Apollo" by Various

Spher′ūle, a little sphere; Spher′ūlite, a radiating spherical group of minute acicular crystals common in silicious volcanic rocks.—adjs.

From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 4 of 4: S-Z and supplements) by Various

Usually of a white or light greenish color and vitreous lustre, in acicular crystallizations.

From The Elements of Blowpipe Analysis by Getman, Frederick Hutton

Having found, in small quantities, alcohols of the CnH2n-7 series, last summer, in the stem, acicular leaves, and cones of Pinus sylvestris, I wish in this paper to say a few words on the subject.

From Scientific American Supplement, No. 443, June 28, 1884 by Various

Hyoscyamine crystallizes in the acicular form, with greater difficulty even than atropine, it also forms less compact crystals.

From Scientific American Supplement, No. 324, March 18, 1882 by Various