ăcūlĕus, i, 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.
I Lit.
A Of animals: apis aculeum sine clamore ferre non possumus, Cic. Tusc. 2, 22; so Plin. 11, 17, 17, 52: neparum, Cic. Fin. 5, 15 al.—Also, the spur of fowls , Col. 8, 2, 8: locustarum, Vulg. Apoc. 9, 10.—
B Of plants, a spine or prickle : spinarum, Plin. 13, 9, 19, 63: carduorum, id. 20, 23, 99.—
C Of an arrow or dart, the point , Liv. 38, 21, 11.—
II Fig., a sting.
A Of a sharp, cutting remark: pungunt quasi aculeis interrogatiunculis, Cic. Fin. 4, 3; so id. Ac. 2 ( Luc. ), 31; id. Planc. 24 al.; Liv. 23, 42, 5.—
B Of harsh treatment: aculeos severitatis judicum evellere, Cic. Clu. 55 fin. ; so id. Cael. 12, 29.—
C Of painful thought or care: meum ille pectus pungit aculeus, quid illi negoti fuerit ante aedīs meas, Plaut. Trin. 4, 2, 158: domesticarum sollicitudinum, Cic. Att. 1, 18.