[ 'stʌɪləs ]
■ noun ( plural styli -lʌɪ , -li: or ~es )
1》 a hard point, typically of diamond or sapphire, following a groove in a gramophone record and transmitting the recorded sound for reproduction.
2》 an ancient writing implement for scratching letters on wax-covered tablets.
↘a similar implement for engraving and tracing.
↘ Computing a pen-like device used to input handwritten text or drawings directly into a computer.
Origin
C18 (as a mod. L. term in botany: see style ): erroneous spelling of L. stilus .