aculeate

adjective acu·le·ate \ ə-ˈkyü-lē-ət \

Definition of aculeate

: relating to or being hymenopterans (such as bees, ants, and many wasps) of a division (Aculeata) typically having the ovipositor modified into a stinger

Origin and Etymology of aculeate

after New Latin Aculeata, division of the insect order Hymenoptera, going back to Latin, neuter plural of aculeātus "having stingers or spines, stinging," from aculeus "stinger, spine (of a fish), sharp point, barb" (from acū-, stem of acus "needle" + -leus, noun suffix, perhaps originally diminutive) + -ātus ³-ate

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1826

in the meaning defined above

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