ACERATE

PRONUNCIATION: (AS-uh-rayt)

MEANING: adjective: Needlelike.

ETYMOLOGY: From Latin acerosus (full of chaff), erroneously interpreted as derived from acus (needle) or acer (sharp), ultimately from the Indo-European root ak- (sharp), which is also the source of acrid, vinegar, acid, acute, edge, hammer, heaven, eager, oxygen, mediocre, acerbate, acidic, acidulous, acuity, and paragon. Earliest documented use: 1833.
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APERATE - to create an opening or window in

NACERATE - encase in order to streamline

ACERITE - a native of Acer

ACE RAT - Frank Sinatra