sty·lus

[stahy-luhs]
noun, plural sty·li [-lahy] , sty·lus·es.
1.
an instrument of metal, bone, or the like, used by the ancients for writing on waxed tablets, having one end pointed for incising the letters and the other end blunt for rubbing out writing and smoothing the tablet.
2.
any of various pointed, pen-shaped instruments used in drawing, artwork, etc.
3.
Computers. a pen-shaped device used on a display screen to input commands or handwritten text or drawings. Compare joystick ( def 2 ), mouse ( def 4 ).
4.
Audio.
a.
Also called cutting stylus. a needle used for cutting grooves in making a disk recording to be played on a phonograph.
b.
a needle for reproducing the sounds of a phonograph record.
5.
any of various pointed wedges used to punch holes in paper or other material, as in writing Braille.
6.
any of various kinds of pens for tracing a line automatically, as on a recording seismograph or electrocardiograph.
Also, style (for defs 1, 2).


Origin:
1720–30; < Latin: spelling variant of stilus stake, pointed writing instrument; spelling with -y- from fancied derivation < Greek stŷlos column

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source Link To stylus
00:10
Stylus is always a great word to know.
So is gobo. Does it mean:
a chattering or flighty, light-headed person.
a screen or mat covered with a dark material for shielding a camera lens from excess light or glare.
Collins
World English Dictionary
stylus (ˈstaɪləs) [Click for IPA pronunciation guide]
 
n , pl -li, -luses
1.  Also called: style a pointed instrument for engraving, drawing, or writing
2.  a tool used in ancient times for writing on wax tablets, which was pointed at one end and blunt at the other for erasing mistakes
3.  a device attached to the cartridge in the pick-up arm of a record player that rests in the groove in the record, transmitting the vibrations to the sensing device in the cartridge. It consists of or is tipped with a hard material, such as diamond or sapphire
 
[C18: from Latin, variant of stilus writing implement; see style]
 
'stylar
 
adj

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
Etymonline
Word Origin & History

stylus
1728, "stem-like part of a flower pistil," alteration of L. stilus "stake, stylus;" spelling influenced by Gk. stylos "pillar" (see stet). Meaning "instrument for writing" is from 1807.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
American Heritage
Medical Dictionary

stylus sty·lus (stī'ləs)
n. pl. sty·lus·es or sty·li (-lī)

  1. A pencil-shaped structure.

  2. A pencil-shaped medicinal preparation for external application; as a medicated bougie.

  3. See stylet.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Cite This Source
Example sentences
The flexible touchscreen display supports user input either by stylus pen or by
  touch.
He pulled out the stylus he used to manipulate the touchscreen, and was ready
  to go.
Sanitize the stylus by lowering the tip into the disinfectant and lifting it
  out twice with the stylus lift arm.
The pot allegedly had waveforms etched into a groove as a potter incised a line
  with a stylus while the pot spun.
Copyright © 2013 Dictionary.com, LLC. All rights reserved.
  • Please Login or Sign Up to use the Recent Searches feature
FAVORITES
RECENT