noun
- Plural of aculus; small, sharp, needle-like structures or spines, especially in biology and botany.
Usage: technical; scientific; plural form
Examples
- The cactus is covered with aculei that protect it from predators.
- Botanists examined the aculei on the plant's stem under a microscope.
- The sea urchin's aculei are used for movement and defense.
- These small aculei give the leaf surface a rough texture.