spicule (redirected from spicules)

spic·ule  (spkyl) also spic·u·la (-y-l)

n. pl. spic·ules also spic·u·lae (-y-l)

A small needlelike structure or part, such as one of the silicate or calcium carbonate processes supporting the soft tissue of certain invertebrates, especially sponges.

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[Latin spculum; see spiculum.]

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spicu·lar (-y-lr), spicu·late (-y-lt, -lt) adj.

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spicule [ˈspɪkjuːl]

n

1. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Biology) Also called spiculum a small slender pointed structure or crystal, esp any of the calcareous or siliceous elements of the skeleton of sponges, corals, etc.

2. (Astronomy) Astronomy a spiked ejection of hot gas occurring over 5000 kilometres above the sun's surface (in its atmosphere) and having a diameter of about 1000 kilometres

[from Latin: spiculum]

spiculate  [ˈspɪkjʊˌleɪt -lɪt] adj

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spicule  (spkyl)

1. A needlelike structure or part, such as one of the mineral structures supporting the soft tissue of certain invertebrates, especially sponges.

2. Any of numerous short-lived vertical jets of hot gas rising from the solar chromosphere and extending into the corona. Spicules, which only last for about five to ten minutes, are usually several hundred kilometers wide and several thousand kilometers high.

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

spicule - small pointed structure serving as a skeletal element in various marine and freshwater invertebrates e.g. sponges and corals spiculum appendage, outgrowth, process - a natural prolongation or projection from a part of an organism either animal or plant; "a bony process"