aculeus

[ uh-kyoo-lee-uhs ]

noun

, plural a·cu·le·i [uh, -, kyoo, -lee-ahy].

1. Also the modified ovipositor or sting of certain hymenopterous insects.
2. prickle ( def 2 ).

aculeus

/ əˈkjuːlɪəs /

noun

1. a prickle or spine, such as the thorn of a rose
2. a sting or ovipositor

Word History and Origins

Origin of aculeus¹

1820–30; < Latin: sting, barb, equivalent to acu ( s ) needle + -leus noun suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of aculeus¹

C19: from Latin, diminutive of acus needle

Example Sentences

“You’ve got the royal family, the prince regents, Maer Alveron, Duchess Samista, Aculeus and Meluan Lackless...”

From Literature

Page 45 'with a long & strong aculeus in the tayle conceuud of' 'conceuud' is an odd spelling.

From Project Gutenberg

The last of these has obtained considerable popularity from the well-known lines— “The qualities rare in a bee that we meet In an epigram never should fail; The body should always be little and sweet, And a sting should be left in its tail”— which represent the older Latin of some unknown writer— “Omne epigramma sit instar apis: sit aculeus illi; Sint sua mella; sit et corporis exigui.”

From Project Gutenberg

Take also the case of the well-known Latin epigram: Omne epigramma sit instar apis: sit aculeus illi; Sint sua mella; sit et corporis exigui.

From Project Gutenberg