aculeate

[ uh-kyoo-lee-it, -eyt ]

adjective

1. Biology. having or being any sharp-pointed structure.
2. having a slender ovipositor or sting, as the hymenopterous insects.
3. pointed; stinging.

aculeate

/ əˈkjuːlɪɪt; -ˌeɪt /

adjective

1. cutting; pointed
2. having prickles or spines, as a rose
3. having a sting, as bees, wasps, and ants

Other Words From

• non·a·cu·le·ate adjective
• non·a·cu·le·at·ed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of aculeate¹

From the Latin word acūleātus, dating back to 1595–1605. See aculeus, -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of aculeate¹

C17: from Latin acūleātus; see aculeus

Example Sentences

May be regarded as an aculeate variety of Archidiscus polythalamus.

From Project Gutenberg

The aculeate wasps of New Caledonia, with natural history notes.

From Project Gutenberg

Ovicells aculeate, with strong widely set spines, pyriform depressed.

From Project Gutenberg

This is also the case in the Aculeate Hymenoptera when the reproductive organs have been 735 destroyed by the parasite Stylops.

From Project Gutenberg

This has been found to be the case in insects so widely different as Orthoptera and Aculeate Hymenoptera.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• biting
• bitter
• caustic
• harsh
• incisive
• mordant
• penetrating
• poignant
• scathing
• sharp