fibula

[ fib-yuh-luh ]
See synonyms for fibula on Thesaurus.com
noun,plural fib·u·lae [fib-yuh-lee], /ˈfɪb yəˌli/, fib·u·las.
  1. Anatomy. the outer and thinner of the two bones of the human leg, extending from the knee to the ankle.

  2. Zoology. a corresponding bone, often rudimentary or ankylosed with the tibia, of the leg or hind limb of an animal.

  1. a clasp or brooch, often ornamented, used by the ancient Greeks and Romans.

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Origin of fibula

1
1665–75; <New Latin; Latin fībula bolt, pin, clasp, probably <*fīvibula, equivalent to fīv(ere), early form of fīgere to fasten, fix + -i--i- + -bula suffix denoting instrument; the bone so called from its resemblance to the tongue of a clasp

Other words from fibula

  • fib·u·lar, adjective

Words Nearby fibula

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use fibula in a sentence

  • Fig. 190 shows an Etruscan bronze fibula with two Swastikas and two Maltese crosses in the pin shield.

    The Swastika | Thomas Wilson
  • A bronze fibula (fig. 199) is in the museum at Mayence, the body of which has the form of the normal Swastika.

    The Swastika | Thomas Wilson
  • A small though good example of Etruscan work is shown in the gold fibula (fig. 187).

    The Swastika | Thomas Wilson
  • Medallion-shaped fibula, of fine granulated work, with figures of sirens in relief, and set with dark blue pastes.

British Dictionary definitions for fibula

fibula

/ (ˈfɪbjʊlə) /


nounplural -lae (-ˌliː) or -las
  1. the outer and thinner of the two bones between the knee and ankle of the human leg: Compare tibia

  2. the corresponding bone in other vertebrates

  1. a metal brooch resembling a safety pin, often highly decorated, common in Europe after 1300 bc

Origin of fibula

1
C17: from Latin: clasp, probably from fīgere to fasten

Derived forms of fibula

  • fibular, adjective

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for fibula

fibula

[ fĭbyə-lə ]


Plural fibulae (fĭbyə-lē′) fibulas
  1. The smaller of the two bones of the lower leg or lower portion of the hind leg. See more at skeleton.

The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.