ăcūlĕus (noun M) : acc. to Prisc. 618 P. dim. from 1. acus, with the gender changed, like diecula fr. dies, cf. Val. Prob. 1463 P.
* A sting.
* Lit.
* Of animals: apis aculeum sine clamore ferre non possumus,Cic. Tusc. 2, 22; so Plin. 11, 17, 17: neparum,Cic. Fin. 5, 15 al.—Also, the spur of fowls, Col. 8, 2, 8: locustarum,Vulg. Apoc. 9, 10.
* Fig., a sting.
* Of an arrow or dart, the point, Liv. 38, 21, 11.
* Of a sharp, cutting remark: pungunt quasi aculeis interrogatiunculis,Cic. Fin. 4, 3; so id. Ac. 2, 31; id. Planc. 24 al.; Liv. 23, 42, 5.
* Of harsh treatment: aculeos severitatis judicum evellere,Cic. Clu. 55 fin.; so id. Cael. 12, 29.
* Of painful thought or care: meum ille pectus pungit aculeus, quid illi negoti fuerit ante aedīs meas, Plant. Trin. 4, 2, 158: domesticarum sollicitudinum,Cic. Att. 1, 18.

s. TLL