Acicular

/əˈsɪkjʊlər/ adjective

Definition

Shaped like a needle or having the form of small, thin, pointed structures; describing something slender and sharp.

Etymology

From Latin 'acicula' (small needle) plus '-ar' (relating to). This adjective became standard in biology and mineralogy to describe needle-shaped crystals and organisms.

Kelly Says

Acicular crystals in geology form under specific pressure and temperature conditions—they're like tiny needles frozen in time, and miners use acicular shapes to identify minerals without any fancy equipment.

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