aculea

noun

acu·​lea

ə-ˈkyü-lē-ə

plural aculeae

ə-ˈkyü-lē-ˌē

: a minute spinous outgrowth on the wing membrane of certain insects

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin, feminine derivative of Latin aculeus "stinger, spine"

First Known Use

1925, in the meaning defined above

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