a hard point, typically of diamond or sapphire, following a groove in a gramophone record and transmitting the recorded sound for reproduction (留声机的)唱针 ■a similar point producing such a groove when recording sound (灌录唱片的)录音针
an 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 (古时在蜡版上刻写用的)尖笔 ■an implement of similar shape used especially for engraving and tracing 雕刻刀 ■(Computing)a pen-like device used to input handwritten text or drawings directly into a computer (计算机)光笔
语源
early 18th cent. (as a modern Latin term in botany: see style): erroneous spelling of Latin stilus