acicular
adjective
Word History
borrowed from New Latin aciculāris, from Late Latin acicula, acucula "small needle, small pin for a headdress" (from Latin acu-, stem of acus "needle" —going back to Indo-European *h₂eḱ-u- "pointed"— + -cula, diminutive suffix) + Latin -āris -ar — more at acute
1709, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near acicular
Cite this Entry
“Acicular.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/acicular. Accessed 6 Jun. 2023.
Copy Citation
Medical Definition
acicular
adjective
-
Palter, Dissemble, and Other Words for Lying
Trust us
-
Skunk, Bayou, and Other Words with Native American Origins
You've used more than you might think
-
Words For Things You Didn't Know Have Names, Vol. 2
When 'thingamajig' and 'thingamabob' just won't do
-
When Were Words First Used?
Look up any year to find out
-
Name That Tree!
A quiz that’s all bark, no bite.
Take the quiz
-
Name That Thing MegaQuiz: Vol. 5
Test your visual vocabulary!
Take the quiz
-
How Strong Is Your Vocabulary?
Test your vocabulary with our 10-question quiz!
Take the quiz
-
Spelling Bee Quiz
Can you outdo past winners of the National Spelli...
Take the quiz
Share