What is "aculeate"

Aculeate \A*cu"le*ate\, a. [L. aculeatus, fr. aculeus, dim. of acus needle.]

1. (Zo["o]l.) Having a sting; covered with prickles; sharp like a prickle.

2. (Bot.) Having prickles, or sharp points; beset with prickles.

3. Severe or stinging; incisive. [R.]
   --Bacon.

a. 1 Having a sting; sharp like a prickle. 2 Having prickles or sharp points. 3 (context entomology English) Having a stinger; stinging.

adj. having or resembling a stinger or barb; "aculeate insects such as bees and wasps" [syn: aculeated]