Word Study
aculeate
CIDE DICTIONARY
aculeate, a. [L. aculeatus, fr. aculeus, dim. of acus needle.].
- Having a sting; covered with prickles; sharp like a prickle. [1913 Webster]
- Having prickles, or sharp points; beset with prickles. [1913 Webster]
- Severe or stinging; incisive. Bacon. [1913 Webster]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
aculeate, n.
1 Zool. having a sting.
2 Bot. prickly.
3 pointed, incisive.
1 Zool. having a sting.
2 Bot. prickly.
3 pointed, incisive.
Etymology
L aculeatus f. aculeus sting, dimin. of acus needle
ROGET THESAURUS
aculeate
Sharpness
VB be sharp, taper to a point, bristle with, render sharp, sharpen, point, aculeate, whet, barb, spiculate, set, strop, grind, chip (flint), cut.For further exploring for "aculeate" in Webster Dictionary Online