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spicule Definition

spic·ule (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

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.

Browse dictionary entries near spicule

  1. spiculate
  2. spick-and-span
  3. spick
  4. spicery
  5. spicebush
  6. spiceberry
  7. Spice Islands
  8. spice
  9. spiccato
  10. spicate
  1. spiculum
  2. spicy
  3. SPID
  4. spider
  5. spider crab
  6. spider flower
  7. spider mite
  8. spider monkey
  9. spider plant
  10. spiderwort