aculeus

[uh-kyoo-lee-uhs]

noun

plural

aculei 

1. Also the modified ovipositor or sting of certain hymenopterous insects.

2. prickle.

aculeus

/ əˈkjuːlɪəs /

noun

1. a prickle or spine, such as the thorn of a rose

2. a sting or ovipositor

Word History and Origins

Origin of aculeus¹

1820–30; < Latin: sting, barb, equivalent to acu ( s ) needle + -leus noun suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of aculeus¹

C19: from Latin, diminutive of acus needle

Example Sentences

“You’ve got the royal family, the prince regents, Maer Alveron, Duchess Samista, Aculeus and Meluan Lackless...”

Read more on Literature

Page 45 'with a long & strong aculeus in the tayle conceuud of' 'conceuud' is an odd spelling.

Read more on Project Gutenberg

The last of these has obtained considerable popularity from the well-known lines— “The qualities rare in a bee that we meet In an epigram never should fail; The body should always be little and sweet, And a sting should be left in its tail”— which represent the older Latin of some unknown writer— “Omne epigramma sit instar apis: sit aculeus illi; Sint sua mella; sit et corporis exigui.”

Read more on Project Gutenberg

Take also the case of the well-known Latin epigram: Omne epigramma sit instar apis: sit aculeus illi; Sint sua mella; sit et corporis exigui.

Read more on Project Gutenberg