spicule

noun

spic·​ule ˈspi-(ˌ)kyül 

1

: a slender pointed usually hard body

especially : one of the minute calcareous or siliceous bodies that support the tissue of various invertebrates (such as sponges)

2

: a spikelike short-lived prominence appearing close to the chromosphere of the solar atmosphere

spicular

ˈspi-kyə-lər 

adjective

spiculation

ˌspi-kyə-ˈlā-shən 

noun

Examples of spicule in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Along the solar horizon, towering spires of gas known as spicules stretch up to about 6,214 miles (10,000 kilometers) from the Sun’s chromosphere. —George Dvorsky / Gizmodo, Quartz, 2 May 2024

According to a press release, the team observed the emergence of spicules while also monitoring nearby magnetic fields. —Jason Daley, Smithsonian, 15 Nov. 2019

According to this new research, the same process could create the much smaller spicules. —Jason Daley, Smithsonian, 15 Nov. 2019

In fact, researchers at his lab released a major model of how the spicules form in 2017. —Jason Daley, Smithsonian, 15 Nov. 2019

The spicules surge thousands of miles high, passing through the chromosphere and into the sun’s corona before collapsing. —Nicholas St. Fleur, New York Times, 23 June 2017

Word History

Etymology

New Latin spicula & Latin spiculum; New Latin spicula, alteration of Latin spiculum head of a spear or arrow, diminutive of spicum, spica ear of grain

First Known Use

1785, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

spicule

noun

spic·​ule ˈspik-yü(ə)l 

: a small hard needlelike structure

especially : one of the tiny calcium- or silica-containing bodies that support the tissues of various invertebrates and especially sponges

Medical Definition

spicule

noun

spic·​ule ˈspik-(ˌ)yü(ə)l 

: a minute slender pointed usually hard body (as of bone)