ˈtriˌkīt noun
( -s )
Etymology: in sense a, from German trichit, from trich- + -it -ite; in sense b, from New Latin trichites, from trich- + -ites -ite; in sense c, probably from trich- + -ite
: a minute acicular body: as
a. : a hairlike crystallite occurring singly or in clusters
b. : a hairlike siliceous spicule occurring in some sponges in fascicles
c. : one of the slender rods supporting the cytopharynx of some ciliated protozoans