Stylus

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /ˈstaɪl.É™s/
• Rhymes: -aɪlÉ™s

Origin

From Latin stylus, alternative spelling of stilus. Unrelated to Ancient Greek στῦλος (stulos, "pillar").

Full definition of stylus

Noun

1. A sharp stick used in ancient times for writing in clay tablets or other surfaces; a sharp tool for engraving.
• 14 September 2013, Jane Shilling, The Golden Thread: the Story of Writing, by Ewan Clayton, review [print edition: Illuminating language], The pleasure of writing on wax with a stylus is exemplified by the fine, flowing hand of a Roman scribe who made out the birth certificate of Herennia Gemella, born March 128 AD.
2. A phonograph needle.
3. A small plastic stick used as a pen for writing on the touch sensitive screen of an electronic gadget.
4. A tool for making small dots on a piece of heavy paper, used to produce Braille writing for the blind by hand.

Derived terms

• stylograph
• stylophone