fibula

[ fib-yuh-luh ]
/ ˈfɪb yə lə /

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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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

fibrous root, fibrous tissue, fibrous tubercle, fibrovascular, fibrovascular bundle, fibula, fibular artery, fibular nerve, fibular vein, fibulocalcaneal, fica
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for fibular

British Dictionary definitions for fibular

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

Medical definitions for fibular

fibula
[ fĭb′yə-lə ]

n. pl. fib•u•las

The outer, narrower, and smaller of the two bones of the human lower leg, extending from the knee to the ankle, and articulating with the tibia above and the tibia and talus below.calf bone

Other words from fibula

fib′u•lar (-lər) adj.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.

Scientific definitions for fibular

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