Spiculate
/ˈspɪkjʊlət/noun
Having small pointed projections or sharp spines; also, in biology, marked with tiny spicules.
Did you know?Its core comes from Latin *spiculum*, a diminutive of *spica* (“spike, spear”), so the word carries an old weapon-image straight into modern science.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*spei-
“to point, pierce, or be sharp”
Latin
Latin
spica
“ear of grain; spike”
Latin
Latin
spiculum
“small spear; dart; sharp point”
Late Latin
Latin
spiculatus
“furnished with little spears or points”
Middle English / Modern Scientific English
English
spiculate
“having small pointed projections or spines”