lacuna

[ luh-kyoo-nuh ]

noun

, plural la·cu·nae [l, uh, -, kyoo, -nee], la·cu·nas.

1. a gap or missing part, as in a manuscript, series, or logical argument; hiatus.
2. Anatomy. one of the numerous minute cavities in the substance of bone, supposed to contain nucleate cells.
3. Botany. an air space in the cellular tissue of plants.

lacuna

/ ˌlækjʊˈnɒsɪtɪ; ləˈkjuːnə /

noun

1. a gap or space, esp in a book or manuscript
2. biology a cavity or depression, such as any of the spaces in the matrix of bone
3. another name for coffer

Derived Forms

• lacunosity, noun
• laˈcunose, adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of lacuna¹

First recorded in 1655–65; from Latin lacūna “ditch, pit, hole, gap, deficiency,” akin to lacus “basin, tub, vat, lake”; lake ¹. lagoon

Word History and Origins

Origin of lacuna¹

C17: from Latin lacūna pool, cavity, from lacus lake

Example Sentences

It doesn’t seriously examine the role of scholarship at the Met, and that is a telling lacuna.

From Washington Post

The critique extends into nearly every little crevice and lacuna of our civic life.

From The Daily Beast

Moreover, current discussion exhibits, if not a complete void, at least a decided lacuna as to propositions of this type.

From Project Gutenberg

Here the Elphinstone MS. recommences after a lacuna extending from ai.

From Project Gutenberg

On the eel-grass are to be found Lacuna vincta and the delicate iridescent little shells of Margarita helicina.

From Project Gutenberg

The same lacuna leaves it doubtful whether any collective title was prefixed to the διθύραμβοι.

From Project Gutenberg

The triangular projection in front of the median lacuna is the body or cushion of the frog.

From Project Gutenberg