spicule

spicule Definition

spic·ule (spik′yo̵̅o̅l′)

noun

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
Bot. a small spike; spikelet
Zool. a small, hard, needlelike piece or process, esp. of bony or calcareous material, as in the skeleton of the sponge

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

spicule Usage Examples

Preposition: of

bone: Any spicules of bone preventing access by his finger were chipped away with a cleaver.

Converse of object

have: Some species have calcareous spicules deposited in the tunic which would make them rather like eating gristle with sand embedded in it.

Adjective modifier

calcareous: Some species have calcareous spicules deposited in the tunic which would make them rather like eating gristle with sand embedded in it.
microscopic: A simple sponge is a bag of cells surrounding a cavity, supported by microscopic spicules.

Noun used with modifier

sponge: The rocks are typically ' cleaner ' quartz sands and rather unfossiliferous apart from beds of microscopic sponge spicules.
bone: Remove any bone spicules with a bone rasp or bur.

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