Home UK English aculeus

Meaning of aculeus in English:

aculeus

Pronunciation /əˈkjuːlɪəs/

noun

  • 1Botany
    A sharply pointed projection on a plant, such as a thorn or a spine; especially one growing directly from the epidermis or forming an extension of it.

  • 2Zoology
    The sting of an insect or other animal.

Origin

Early 17th century (in an earlier sense). From classical Latin acūleus sting, spine, thorn, barb, spike, prick, pang from acus needle + -leus, suffix forming diminutives.