lanugo

[luh-noo-goh, -nyoo-]

noun

Biology.

plural

lanugos 

1. a coat of delicate, downy hairs, especially that with which the human fetus or a newborn infant is covered.

lanugo

/ ləˈnjuːɡəʊ, ləˈnjuːdʒɪnəs /

noun

1. a layer of fine hairs, esp the covering of the human fetus before birth

lanugo

1. A covering of fine, soft hair or hairlike structures, as on a leaf, insect, or human fetus.

Other Word Forms

• lanuginousness noun
• lanuginous adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of lanugo¹

1670–80; < Latin lānūgō wooliness, down, derivative of lāna wool

Word History and Origins

Origin of lanugo¹

C17: from Latin: down, from lāna wool

Example Sentences

The fuzz with which some babies are born is called lanugo.

Read more on Washington Post

During the first and second trimester, the fetus is covered by ‘lanugo hair’ that may stimulate the type C nerve fibers in utero; at this stage of development, these fibers provide our first sensory input.

Read more on Science Magazine

Like ringed seals, newborn ribbon seals have a coat of lanugo and cannot survive submersion in icy water until after they’ve formed the blubber layer.

Read more on Washington Times

Those who have heard of the origin of the Spanish Royal Order of the Golden Fleece know that the word is an enphemism for the lanugo of the Romans.

Read more on Project Gutenberg

It is also covered with very fine, downy hair, called lanugo.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• lint