ligula

[ lig-yuh-luh ]

noun

, plural lig·u·lae [lig, -y, uh, -lee], lig·u·las.

1. Botany, Zoology. a tonguelike or strap-shaped part or organ.
2. Botany. ligule.

ligula

/ ˈlɪɡjʊlə /

noun

1. entomol the terminal part of the labium of an insect consisting of paired lobes
2. See ligule
   a variant spelling of ligule

Derived Forms

• ˈliguˌloid, adjective
• ˈligular, adjective

Other Words From

• ligu·lar adjective
• ligu·loid adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of ligula¹

1750–60; < New Latin, special use of Latin li ( n ) gula spoon, shoe-strap, equivalent to lig-, variant stem of lingere to lick + -ula -ule

Word History and Origins

Origin of ligula¹

C18: New Latin; see ligule

Example Sentences

Paraglossa, par-a-glos′a, n. one of the two appendages of the ligula in insects.

From Project Gutenberg

It contained a long ligula, a spathomele, a cyathiscomele, and a double olivary probe.

From Project Gutenberg

Epilobe: of mentum in Carabidae, really corresponds to a partially divided ligula: a lateral appendage of a bilobed mentum.

From Project Gutenberg

Papilla: a minute, soft projection: specifically the modified ligula in silk spinning caterpillars.

From Project Gutenberg

Tubus: a term used to designate the corneous base of a ligula: the sheath of the tongue.

From Project Gutenberg