spiculate

American

[spik-yuh-leyt, -lit] / ˈspɪk yəˌleɪt, -lɪt /

Also spicular

adjective

having the form of a spicule.
covered with or having spicules; consisting of spicules.

Other Word Forms

interspicular adjective
multispicular adjective
multispiculate adjective

Etymology

Origin of spiculate

1825–35; < Latin spīculātus, equivalent to spīcul ( um ) ( spicule ) + -ātus -ate ¹

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

In modern glass sponges, many species also secrete anchoring spiculate “roots” resembling bundles of fiber-optic cable, or fasces of fiber glass.

From Scientific American

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023