stylus

Etymology

Borrowed from Latin stylus (“a stake or pale”). Probably not directly related to Ancient Greek στῦλος (stûlos, “a pillar”). Doublet of style.

noun

1. (writing">writing) An ancient writing">writing implement">implement consisting of a small rod with a pointed end for scratching letters on clay, wax-covered tablets or other surfaces, and a blunt end for obliterating them.
   1. A small implement">implement with a pointed end used for engraving and tracing.
   2. (computing) A small device resembling a pen used to input handwritten text or drawings directly into an electronic device with a touch-sensitive screen.
2. A hard-pointed pen-shaped instrument for marking on stencils used in a mimeograph machine.
3. A hard point, typically of diamond or sapphire, following a groove in a phonograph and transmitting the recorded sound for reproduction.
   1. A pointed device formerly used to produce a groove in a record">record">record">record when recording sound.
4. A tool for making small dots on a piece of heavy paper, used to produce Braille writing for the blind by hand.
5. (botany) Synonym of style.