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stylus

An instrument for writing. See style. 2.

That needle-shaped part at the tip of the playing arm of phonograph which sits in the groove of a phonograph record while it is turning, to detect the undulations in the phonograph groove and convert them into vibrations which are transmitted to a system (since 1920 electronic) which converts the signal into sound; also called needle. The stylus is frequently composed of metal or diamond. 3.

The needle-like device used to cut the grooves which record the sound on the original disc during recording of a phonograph record. 4. (computers)

A pen-shaped pointing device used to specify the cursor position on a graphics tablet.

Origin: L. Stylus, or better stilus.