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costa

[ kos-tuh, kaw-stuh ]
/ ˈkɒs tə, ˈkɔ stə /
|

noun, plural cos·tae [kos-tee, kaw-stee] /ˈkɒs ti, ˈkɔ sti/.

a rib or riblike part.
the midrib of a leaf in mosses.
a ridge.
Entomology.
  1. Also called costal vein. a vein, usually marginal, in the anterior portion of the wing of certain insects.
  2. Also called costal margin. the anterior edge or border of the wing of certain insects.

Nearby words

cost-of-living index, cost-plus, cost-push, cost-push inflation, cost-share, costa, costa brava, costa del sol, costa mesa, costa rica, costa rican

Origin of costa

1865–70; < Latin: rib, side. See coast
Related formspseu·do·cos·ta, noun, plural pseu·do·cos·tae.

Definition for costa (2 of 2)

Costa

[ kaw-stuh ]
/ ˈkɔ stə /

noun

Lú·cio [loo-syoo] /ˈlu syu/, 1902–98, Brazilian architect, chief designer of Brasilia.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for costa

British Dictionary definitions for costa

costa

/ (ˈkɒstə) /

noun plural -tae (-tiː)

the technical name for rib 1 (def. 1)
a riblike part, such as the midrib of a plant leaf
Derived Formscostal, adjective

Word Origin for costa

C19: from Latin: rib, side, wall
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

Word Origin and History for costa

costa

n.

Spanish costa "coast," from same Latin source as English coast (n.). Used in Britain from 1960s in jocular formations (costa geriatrica, costa del crime, etc.) in imitation of the names of Spanish tourist destinations.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper

Medicine definitions for costa

costa

[ kŏs′tə ]

n. pl. cos•tae (-tē)

Rib.
A rodlike internal supporting organelle that runs along the base of the undulating membrane of certain flagellate parasites.basal rod
Related formscos′tal adj.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.

Science definitions for costa

costa

[ kŏs′tə ]

Plural costae (kŏs′tē)

A rib or a riblike part, such as the midrib of a leaf or a thickened anterior vein or margin of an insect's wing.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.