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 animal3: stiletto