aculeus

[ uh-kyoo-lee-uhs ]

noun

, plural a·cu·le·i [uh, -, kyoo, -lee-ahy].

1. Also the modified ovipositor or sting of certain hymenopterous insects.
2. prickle ( def 2 ).

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

The pastinaca oxyrinchus with a long and strong aculeus in the tayle conceued of speciall venome and virtues.

From Project Gutenberg

Lister refers to a specimen in 1686 as "Piscis triangularis capiti cornutu cui e media cauda cutanea aculeus longus erigitus."

From Project Gutenberg