n.
Pronunciation: ' spi-( ˌ )kyül
Function: noun
Etymology: New Latin spicula & Latin spiculum; New Latin spicula, alteration of Latin spiculum head of a spear or arrow, diminutive of spicum, spica ear of grain
Date: 1785
1 : a slender pointed usually hard body especially : one of the minute calcareous or siliceous bodies that support the tissue of various invertebrates (as sponges)
2 : a spikelike short-lived prominence appearing close to the chromosphere of the solar atmosphere
– spic · u · lar \ ' spi-ky ə -l ə r \ adjective
– spic · u · la · tion \ ˌ spi-ky ə - ' l ā -sh ə n \ noun