FromLatinspīculum.
spicule (pluralspicules)
- A sharp, needle-like piece.
- A tiny glass flake formed during the manufacture of glass vials.
- (biology) Any of many needle-likecrystalline structures that provideskeletal support inmarineinvertebrates likesponges.
1860,Recreative Science, page110:Tear it up, and put a fragment under the microscope, and, wonder of wonders! see the maze of geometric forms exhibited in the bones of the creature; for who can help regarding thespicules as bones, even though a sponge be invertebrate?
- A needle-like mating structure found only in malenematodes.
- (astronomy) Ajet of matter ejected from thephotosphere of thesun.
- A small spike offlowers.
- (historical) A unit ofmass equal to 125pounds.
any of many needle-like crystalline structures that provide skeletal support in marine invertebrates like sponges
(Thisetymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at theEtymology scriptorium.)
spicule f (pluralspicules)
- (biology)spicule
