planula

[ plan-yuh-luh ]

/ ˈplæn yə lə /

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noun, plural plan·u·lae

[plan-yuh-lee]. /ˈplæn yəˌli/. Zoology.

the ciliate, free-swimming larva of a coelenterate.

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Origin of planula

1865–70; <New Latin, diminutive of Latin plānum something flat. See plane¹, -ule

OTHER WORDS FROM planula

plan·u·lar, plan·u·late

[plan-yuh-leyt], /ˈplæn yəˌleɪt/, adjective

Words nearby planula

plantocracy, plant out, plant pathology, plantsman, plantswoman, planula, plan view, plaque, plash, plashy, -plasia

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

How to use planula in a sentence

Planula, plan′ū-la, n. the locomotory embryo of the cœlenterates.
Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 3 of 4: N-R)|Various
The upper surface of the planula then becomes depressed and forms a gullet, and in time a complete animal is formed.
The Sea-beach at Ebb-tide|Augusta Foote Arnold
The name Planula signifies "wandering animal," because the Planula larva swims about by means of cilia.
Stories of the Universe: Animal Life|B. Lindsay
The Turbellarians have some features in common with the Cœlenterate planula.
The Works of Francis Maitland Balfour, Volume II (of 4)|Francis Maitland Balfour

The larva has now become a planula, and consists of a closed sack with double walls.
The Works of Francis Maitland Balfour, Volume II (of 4)|Francis Maitland Balfour

British Dictionary definitions for planula

planula

/ (ˈplænjʊlə) /

noun plural -lae (-ˌliː)

the ciliated free-swimming larva of hydrozoan coelenterates such as the hydra

Derived forms of planula

planular, adjective

Word Origin for planula

C19: from New Latin: a little plane, from Latin plānum level ground

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 planula

planula

[ plăn′yə-lə ]

Plural planulae (plăn′yə-lē′)

The flat, free-swimming, ciliated larva of a cnidarian.