[sty.let] n [F, fr. MF stilet stiletto, fr. OIt stiletto--more at stiletto] (1697) 1 a: a slender surgical probe b: a thin wire inserted into a catheter to maintain rigidity or into a hollow needle to maintain patency c: a pointed instrument (as for graving)
2: a relatively rigid elongated organ or appendage (as a piercing mouthpart) of an animal
3: stiletto