*spicul*

a. [ L. spiculum a dart: cf. F. spiculaire. ] Resembling a dart; having sharp points. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. spiculatus, p. p. of spiculare to sharpen, to point, fr. spiculum a dart. ] 1. Covered with, or having, spicules. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Bot.) Covered with minute spiculae, or pointed fleshy appendages; divided into small spikelets. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. To sharpen to a point. [ R. ] “With spiculated paling.” Mason. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. spiculum a little point, a dart. ] 1. A minute, slender granule, or point. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Bot.) Same as Spicula. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Zool.) Any small calcareous or siliceous body found in the tissues of various invertebrate animals, especially in sponges and in most Alcyonaria. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ Spicules vary exceedingly in size and shape, and some of those found in siliceous sponges are very complex in structure and elegant in form. They are of great use in classification. [ 1913 Webster ]

Description of the Illustration: [ 1913 Webster ]

a Acerate; b Tricurvate, or Bowshaped; c d Hamate; e Broomshaped; f Scepterellate; g Spinispirulate; h Inequi-anchorate; i Sexradiate; j A Trichite Sheaf; k Six-rayed Capitate; l Rosette of Esperia; m Equi-anchorate. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. (Zool.) Having the shape of a spicule. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. spiculum + -genous. ] (Zool.) Producing or containing spicules. [ 1913 Webster ]

‖n. pl. [ NL. ] (Zool.) A division of sponges including those which have independent siliceous spicules. [ 1913 Webster ]