noun. A small needlelike structure or part, such as one of the silicate or calcium carbonate processes supporting the soft tissue of certain invertebrates, especially sponges.

noun. A spike-shaped formation emanating from the ionized gas of the solar photosphere.

noun. In botany, the empty frustule of a diatom.

noun. A fine-pointed body resembling a needle: as, ice -spicules.

noun. In botany:

noun. A spikelet.

noun. One of the small projections or points on the basidia of hymenomycetous fungi which bear the spores. There are usually four to each basidium. See sterigma.

noun. In zoology, a hard, sharp body like a little spike, straight or curved, rod-like, or branched, or diversiform; a spiculum; a sclere: variously applied, without special reference to size or Shape.

noun. A minute, slender granule, or point.

noun. Same as Spicula.

noun. Any small calcareous or siliceous body found in the tissues of various invertebrate animals, especially in sponges and in most Alcyonaria.

noun. A sharp, needle-like piece

noun. Any of many needle-like crystalline structures that provide skeletal support in marine invertebrates like sponges

noun. A jet of matter ejected from the photosphere of the sun

noun. A small spike of flowers

noun. small pointed structure serving as a skeletal element in various marine and freshwater invertebrates e.g. sponges and corals

"But now, as he threaded his way down, that flicker of light was the faint spicule of a star that burned with the hot roar of a nova."

appendage  outgrowth  process  

bramble  brier  bristle  burr  cactus  

spicula