aculeus
[ uh-kyoo-lee-uh s ]
/ əˈkyu li əs /
noun, plural a·cu·le·i [uh-kyoo-lee-ahy] /əˈkyu liˌaɪ/.
Also acus.
the modified ovipositor or sting of certain hymenopterous insects.
Origin of aculeus
1820–30; < Latin: sting, barb, equivalent to
acu(s) needle +
-leus noun suffix
Words nearby aculeus
actus reus,
acuate,
acuff,
acuity,
aculeate,
aculeus,
acumen,
acuminate,
acupoint,
acupressure,
acupuncture
British Dictionary definitions for aculei
aculeus
/ (əˈkjuːlɪəs) /
noun
a prickle or spine, such as the thorn of a rose
a sting or ovipositor
Word Origin for aculeus
C19: from Latin, diminutive of
acus needle