Stylus
Pronunciation
- UK IPA: /ˈstaɪl.əs/
- Rhymes: -aɪləs
Origin
From Latin stylus, alternative spelling of stilus. Unrelated to Ancient Greek στῦλος (stulos, "pillar").
Full definition of stylus
Noun
- 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.
- A phonograph needle.
- A small plastic stick used as a pen for writing on the touch sensitive screen of an electronic gadget.
- A tool for making small dots on a piece of heavy paper, used to produce Braille writing for the blind by hand.