spiculum

from WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006)

spiculum
    n 1: small pointed structure serving as a skeletal element in
         various marine and freshwater invertebrates e.g. sponges
         and corals [syn: {spicule}, {spiculum}]

from The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

Spiculum \Spic"u*lum\, n.; pl. {Spicula}. [L., a little point.]
   (Zool.)
   Same as {Spicule}.
   [1913 Webster]

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