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Stylus

A pointed implement, generally of metal or bone, used for writing on wax tablets.

A pointed implement, generally of metal or bone, used for writing on wax tablets. A stylus can also be used for pricking and ruling a manuscript. Some styli have triangular heads which, when heated, are used to smooth wax for reuse.

  • Arabic:
    مِنحت ;منفذ
  • French:
    Instrument ŕ pointe sčche; Poinçon; Style; Stylet; Traçoir
  • Italian:
    Stilo, Stiletto; Punteruolo
  • Spanish:
    Estilo; Punzón

Michelle Brown, Understanding Illuminated Manuscripts (Malibu, CA: J. Paul Getty Museum in association with the British Library, c1994).