Showing results for "spicula"

• plural of spiculum.

spicula

American  

[spik-yuh-luh] / ˈspɪk jə lə /

noun

spiculae plural

1. a spicule.

---

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• spiculae
  plural

Etymology

Origin of spicula

1740–50; < New Latin spīcula, Medieval Latin, equivalent to Latin spīc ( a ) ear of grain + -ula -ule

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

spicula spiculae

Introducing the alum-cell, and placing the coating of hoar-frost at the intensely luminous focus of the electric lamp, not a spicula of the dazzling frost is melted.

From Six Lectures on Light Delivered In The United States In 1872-1873 by Tyndall, John

When nearly on the crest of the Portillo, we were enveloped in a falling cloud of minute frozen spicula.

From The Voyage of the Beagle by Darwin, Charles

In some cases I have found spicula projecting from the inner plate of the skull, and pressing upon or even penetrating the dura mater.

From The Dog by Youatt, William

We can, for example, converge a powerful luminous beam upon a surface covered with hoar frost, without melting a single spicula of the crystals.

From Fragments of science, V. 1-2 by Tyndall, John

A little above this, where the lime is less abundant, and the lava more compact, numerous little balls, composed of spicula of calcareous spar, radiating from common centres, occupy the interstices.

From Volcanic Islands by Darwin, Charles

We have frequently observed this descent of minute icy spiculae when the sky appears perfectly clear, and could even perceive that its silent but continued action added to the snowy covering of the ground.

From The Journey to the Polar Sea by Franklin, John

When it was heated, these flints cracked and burst, and the spiculae were scattered over the pieces of pottery, sticking to them. 

From Self help; with illustrations of conduct and perseverance by Smiles, Samuel

Glance at these then fringed all round with needles and spiculae inches long; the leaf itself is a shimmering green, dusted over with a frosty down.

From Kenneth McAlpine A Tale of Mountain, Moorland and Sea by Stables, Gordon

It publishes itself in creatures, reaching from particles and spiculae through transformation on transformation to the highest symmetries, arriving at consummate results without a shock or a leap.

From Essays — Second Series by Emerson, Ralph Waldo

The chief difference between the white and red fir is in the spiculae or leaves.

From The Lake of the Sky Lake Tahoe in the High Sierras of California and Nevada, its History, Indians, Discovery by Frémont, Legendary Lore, Various Namings, Physical Characteristics, Glacial Phenomena, Geology, Single Outlet, Automobile Routes, Historic Towns, Early Mining Excitements, Steamer Ride, Mineral Springs, Mountain and Lake Resorts, Trail and Camping Out Trips, Summer Residences, Fishing, Hunting, Flowers, Birds, Animals, Trees, and Chaparral, with a Full Account of the Tahoe National Forest, the Public Use of the Water of Lake Tahoe and Much Other Interesting Matter by James, George Wharton