stylet

Noun

WordNet 3.0

Noun (1)

  1. small needlelike appendage; especially the feeding organ of a tardigrade
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Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

Stylet \Sty"let\, n. [F., dim. of style; cf. It. stiletto. See Stiletto.] A small poniard; a stiletto. [1913 Webster]

2.(Surg.) (a) An instrument for examining wounds and fistulas, and for passing setons, and the like; a probe, -- called also specillum. (b) A stiff wire, inserted in catheters or other tubular instruments to maintain their shape and prevent clogging. [1913 Webster]

3.(Zool.) Any small, more or less rigid, bristlelike organ; as, the caudal stylets of certain insects; the ventral stylets of certain Infusoria. [1913 Webster]

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