lunula

[ loo-nyuh-luh ]

noun

, plural lu·nu·lae [loo, -ny, uh, -lee].

1. something shaped like a narrow crescent, as the small, pale area at the base of the fingernail.

lunula

/ ˈluːnjuːl; ˈluːnjʊlə /

noun

1. the white crescent-shaped area at the base of the human fingernail Nontechnical namehalf-moon

Other Words From

• pseudo·lunu·la noun plural pseudolunulae
• pseudo·lunule noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of lunula¹

First recorded in 1565–75; from Latin lūnula “crescent-shaped ornament,” literally “little moon,” equivalent to lūn(a) “moon” + -ula, feminine diminutive noun suffix; -ule

Word History and Origins

Origin of lunula¹

C16: from Latin: small moon, from lūna

Example Sentences

One lunula was found in an oak case at Newtown, Crossdoney, Co.

From Project Gutenberg