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acicula

 - 3 dictionary results

a⋅cic⋅u⋅la

  [uh-sik-yuh-luh]
Use acicula in a Sentence
–noun, plural -lae  [-lee] .
1. a needlelike part; spine, bristle, or needlelike crystal.
2. a pl. of aciculum.
Origin:
1875–80; < NL, LL, alter. of acucula ornamental pin, equiv. to L acu-, s. of acus needle (cf. acute ) + -cula -cule 1

a⋅cic⋅u⋅lum

  [uh-sik-yuh-luhm]
–noun, plural -lums, -la  [-luh] .
1. an acicula.
2. Zoology. one of the slender, sharp stylets embedded in the parapodia of certain annelid worms, as the polychaetes.
Origin:
alter. of acicula
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To acicula
a·cic·u·la   (ə-sĭk'yə-lə)   
n.   pl. a·cic·u·lae (-lē')
A slender, needlelike part or structure, such as the spines or bristles of some plants and animals and the crystals of certain minerals.

[Latin, hairpin, diminutive of acus, needle; see ak- in Indo-European roots.]
a·cic'u·late (-lĭt, -lāt'), a·cic'u·lat'ed (-lā'tĭd) adj.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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