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

You may never have heard of this single-celled alga, but sailors and fishermen know its effect very well: the P. lunula algae are the organisms that occasionally make the see glow blue.

From Science Daily

Then use a file to gently shape the sides of your nail, she said, getting rid of any sharp corners, by following the lunula, the lighter colored half moon shape at the nail base.

From New York Times

My nail lunula have more varied curves than these digital illustrations.

From New York Times

The cuticle is the border of hardened skin behind the lunula.

From Washington Post

This portion consequently looks pale compared with the laminated portion, and from its half-moon shape is technically termed lunula.

From Project Gutenberg