aciculum

noun

acic·​u·​lum

ə-ˈsi-kyə-ləm

plural acicula

ə-ˈsi-kyə-lə

or aciculums

: a needlelike spine or bristle of an animal or plant : acicula

specifically : one of the stiff setae in the base of a parapodium of an annelid

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, alteration of Late Latin acicula small pin for a headdress

First Known Use

1867, in the meaning defined above

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