spicule

One entry found for spicule.

Main Entry: spic·ule
Pronunciation: 'spi-(")kyül
Function: noun
Etymology: New Latin spicula & Latin spiculum; New Latin spicula, alteration of Latin spiculum head of a spear or arrow, diminutive of spicum, spica ear of grain
1 : a slender pointed usually hard body; especially : one of the minute calcareous or siliceous bodies that support the tissue of various invertebrates (as sponges)
2 : a spikelike short-lived prominence appearing close to the chromosphere of the solar atmosphere
- spic·u·lar /'spi-ky&-l&r/ adjective
- spic·u·la·tion /"spi-ky&-'lA-sh&n/ noun