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Glite Dictionary
aculeate

aculeate

9.9
Having a sharp stinger or point like bees and wasps
  • adjective
  • /əˈkjuːliˌeɪt/
  • Specialized
translation icon : aculeado
  • Many aculeate insects use their stingers for defense against predators.

Examples

  • Bees, ants, and wasps are among the most common aculeate insects found in gardens.

  • The biologist compared the stinging mechanisms of several aculeate species.

  • The aculeate wasp is known for its painful sting.

  • Are all aculeate insects dangerous?

  • Bees, ants, and wasps are among the most common aculeate insects found in gardens.

  • Many aculeate insects use their stingers to defend themselves from threats.

  • The researcher noted that several aculeate species possess specialized stingers for protection.

Synonyms

aculeated
vsaculeate
  • Specialized
9.9

Having sharp spines or points like a stinger

is used mainly for insects that have a stinger rather than plants
acanthous
vsaculeate
  • Specialized
9.9

Having small sharp spines or thorns on the surface

focuses on plant thorns or spines rather than insect stingers

Antonyms

blunt
109 1.0

An object with a dull edge or tip that does not cut well

How Pointed

needlelike
1 4.9
aculeate
  • Specialized
9.9
spiny
3 3.9
smooth
256 1.0

Surface Forms

aculeate positive

Morphology

aculeate = acule + ate

Formed from the non-productive combining form 'acule-' (meaning 'sting') plus the suffix '-ate'; the root is not a recognizable standalone English word, so learners cannot transparently derive the meaning from common English bases.

Etymology

Aculeate comes from the Latin aculeus 'prickle' and acus 'needle', and it is related to the English word acupuncture, which uses needles. So an aculeate insect has a sharp point or stinger like a little needle for defense.