/
ˈspɪkjuːl/
n.
- chiefly Zoology a small needle-like structure, in particular any of those making up the skeleton of a sponge.
- Astronomy a short-lived jet of gas in the sun's corona.
Derivative
- spicular adj.
- spiculate
/-lət/
adj. - spiculation n.
Etymology
C18: from mod. L. spicula, spiculum, dimin. of spica ‘ear of grain’.
