ligula

[ lig-yuh-luh ]

noun

, plural lig·u·lae [lig, -y, uh, -lee], lig·u·las.

1. Botany, Zoology. a tonguelike or strap-shaped part or organ.
2. Botany. ligule.

ligula

/ ˈlɪɡjʊlə /

noun

1. entomol the terminal part of the labium of an insect consisting of paired lobes
2. a variant spelling of ligule

Derived Forms

• ˈligular, adjective
• ˈliguˌloid, adjective

Other Words From

• ligu·lar adjective
• ligu·loid adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of ligula¹

1750–60; < New Latin, special use of Latin li ( n ) gula spoon, shoe-strap, equivalent to lig-, variant stem of lingere to lick + -ula -ule

Word History and Origins

Origin of ligula¹

C18: New Latin; see ligule

Example Sentences

Phasellus lorem nibh, tempor et ligula ut, dictum suscipit tortor.

From Seattle Times

Vivamus congue, purus non mattis scelerisque, ipsum velit sodales mauris, ac tristique ligula nisi nec massa.

From Seattle Times

Aenean porta purus ligula, a porttitor justo feugiat eu.

From Seattle Times

Donec sit amet hendrerit ligula.

From Seattle Times

Duis diam ligula, commodo nec ultricies eu, hendrerit vel metus.

From National Geographic