spiculum
spiculum · spicula
A thrusting javelin used by Romans that replaced the pilum in the late 3rd centuryA thrusting javelin used by Romans that replaced the pilum in the late 3rd century.
/ˈspɪkjʊləm/
Meaning
4 sensesA thrusting javelin used by Romans that replaced the pilum in the late 3rd century.
A sharp, pointed crystal, especially of ice.
A sharp, needle-like structure, especially those making up the skeleton of a sponge.
A small radial emission of gas seen in the chromosphere and corona of the sun.
More definitions
- small pointed structure serving as a skeletal element in various marine and freshwater invertebrates e.g. sponges and corals
Origin
From Latin spīculum (“a little sharp point”), from spīcum, alternative form of spīca (“poiFrom Latin spīculum (“a little sharp point”), from spīcum, alternative form of spīca (“point, spike”).
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Forms
plural: spiculaSynonyms
2 synonymsWord family
1 related wordsDerivedspiculum amoris
Lessons for this word
1 lessons- A1Plural nouns — Because its plural is irregular