fibula

[ fib-yuh-luh ]

/ ˈfɪb yə lə /

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noun, plural fib·u·lae

[fib-yuh-lee], /ˈfɪb yəˌli/, fib·u·las.

Anatomy. the outer and thinner of the two bones of the human leg, extending from the knee to the ankle.

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

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

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QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

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Origin of fibula

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

fibrositis, fibrous, fibrous root, fibrovascular, fibrovascular bundle, fibula, -fic, FICA, -fication, fiche, Fichte

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use fibula in a sentence

While Bellinger has battled through a fractured fibula and hamstring issues for much of the season, the deterioration in his output remains startling.
The Dodgers Are So Deep That They Don’t Need All Their Stars|Neil Paine (neil.paine@fivethirtyeight.com)|September 15, 2021|FiveThirtyEight
A week later, she saw an orthopedic doctor who diagnosed a stress fracture in her fibula.
Running’s Cultural Reckoning Is Long Overdue|Christine Yu|May 27, 2021|Outside Online
The Washington Wizards lost yet another starter to injury when Deni Avdija was diagnosed with a hairline fracture in his right fibula following an MRI exam Thursday, effectively ending the forward’s rookie season after 54 games.
Wizards rookie Deni Avdija has hairline fracture in right leg, effectively ending his season|Ava Wallace|April 23, 2021|Washington Post
Woods, who was involved in a single-car crash while driving on a Southern California road, broke his right leg in multiple places, and surgeons stabilized his tibia and fibula bones by inserting a rod into the tibia.
Ben Hogan, golf’s original comeback story, roared back from his devastating car crash|Matt Bonesteel|February 24, 2021|Washington Post

This specimen (fig. 190) is a fibula or pin, one of the commonest objects of Etruscan, Greek, or Roman dress.
The Swastika|Thomas Wilson
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.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 15, Slice 4|Various

British Dictionary definitions for fibula

fibula

/ (ˈfɪbjʊlə) /

noun plural -lae (-ˌliː) or -las

the outer and thinner of the two bones between the knee and ankle of the human legCompare tibia

the corresponding bone in other vertebrates

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

Derived forms of fibula

fibular, adjective

Word Origin for fibula

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

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

[ fĭb′yə-lə ]

Plural fibulae (fĭb′yə-lē′) fibulas

The smaller of the two bones of the lower leg or lower portion of the hind leg. See more at skeleton.

fibula

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Origin of fibula

OTHER WORDS FROM fibula

Words nearby fibula

Words related to fibula

How to use fibula in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for fibula

Derived forms of fibula

Word Origin for fibula

Scientific definitions for fibula