stylet

 
Pronunciation: /ˈstʌɪlɪt/

noun

  • 1 Medicine a slender probe.
  • a wire or piece of plastic run through a catheter or cannula in order to stiffen it or to clear it.
  • 2 Zoology (in an invertebrate) a small style, especially a piercing mouthpart of an insect.

Origin:

late 17th century: from French stilet, from Italian stiletto (see stiletto)