spicule

(spikyo̵̅o̅l′)

noun

  1. Astron. any of the short-lived, bright, dense gas jets continuously spurting up through the chromosphere of the sun: thought to be extensions of the photosphere's granules
  2. Bot. a small spike; spikelet
  3. Zool. a small, hard, needlelike piece or process, esp. of bony or calcareous material, as in the skeleton of the sponge

Origin: < ModL & L: ModL spicula < ML, head of a lance or arrow < L spiculum, dim. of spica, a point, ear, spike

See spicule in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun pl. spic·ules also spic·u·lae (-yə-lē)
A small needlelike structure or part, such as one of the silicate or calcium carbonate processes supporting the soft tissue of certain invertebrates, especially sponges.

Origin:

Origin: Latin spīculum; see spiculum

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Related Forms:

  • spicˈu·lar (-yə-lər), spicˈu·late (-yə-lĭt, -lātˌ) adjective

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