Spinule

[ad. L. spīnula, dim. of spīna SPINE sb.¹ So F. spinule.]

  1.  A small or minute spine or thorn-like formation, esp. in lower forms of animal life.

1752.  J. Hill, Hist. Anim., 226. The Pleuronectes, with … the lateral line rough, and spinules at the fins.

1819.  G. Samouelle, Entomol. Compend., 233. Antennæ lamelliform, small, ciliated with spinules.

1846.  Dana, Zooph. (1848), 498. Slender spinules scarcely a line long.

1878.  F. J. Bell, Gegenbaur’s Comp. Anat., 206. The tuft of spinules on the latter.

  2.  A particular kind of larva.

1857.  Gosse, Omphalos, 223. A tiny egg was discharged from a parent Botryllus, which presently produced a little active tadpole-like larva, called a ‘spinule.’

  Hence Spinuled a., spinulate. Spinulescent a., having a tendency to produce small spines.

1829.  Loudon, Encycl. Plants, 448. Mesembryanthemum spinuliferum; spinulescent.

1880.  Linn. Soc. Jrnl., XV. 143. Delicately spinuled teeth of such forms as Ophioscolex.