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stylus

Syllabification: (sty·lus)
Pronunciation: /ˈstīləs/

Translate stylus | into French | into German | into Italian | into Spanish
Definition of stylus

noun (plural styli /-ˌlī/ or styluses)

  • 1a hard point, typically of diamond or sapphire, following a groove in a phonograph record and transmitting the recorded sound for reproduction.
  • a pointed device formerly used to produce a groove in a record when recording sound.
  • 2an ancient writing implement, consisting of a small rod with a pointed end for scratching letters on wax-covered tablets, and a blunt end for obliterating them.
  • an implement with a pointed end used especially for engraving and tracing.
  • Computing a penlike device used to input handwritten text or drawings directly into a computer or for input on a touch-sensitive monitor.

Origin:

early 18th century (as a modern Latin term in botany: see style): erroneous spelling of Latin stilus

stylus in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of stylus in the British & World English dictionary