Main Entry: sty·let

Pronunciation: \stī-ˈlet, ˈstī-lət\

Function: noun

Etymology: French, from Middle French stilet stiletto, from Old Italian stiletto — more at stiletto

Date: 1697

1 a : a slender surgical probe b : a thin wire inserted into a catheter to maintain rigidity or into a hollow needle to maintain patency c : a pointed instrument (as for graving)
2 : a relatively rigid elongated organ or appendage (as a piercing mouthpart) of an animal
3 : stiletto