‖ oxea Zool.
(ˈɒksɪə)
[mod.L., f. Gr. ὀξύ-ς sharp.]
A needle-shaped sponge spicule, pointed at both ends. Hence ˈoxeate a., having the form of an oxea.
| 1886 R. von Lendenfeld in Proc. Zool. Soc. 585. 1887 Sollas in Encycl. Brit. XXII. 416/1 (Sponges) By far the commonest form is the oxea, a needle-shaped form pointed at both ends and produced by growth from a centre at the same rate in opposite directions along the same axis... By the suppression of one of the rays of an oxea, an acuate spicule or stylus results. Ibid. 416/2 The spicular rays often become cylindrical; usually pointed (oxeate) at the ends, they are also frequently rounded off (strongylate). |