clava

American  

[kley-vuh, klah-] / ˈkleɪ və, ˈklɑ- /

noun

Entomology.

plural

clavae

1. the two or more enlarged distal segments that form the bulbous end of a clavate antenna.

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Other Word Forms

• claval adjective

Etymology

Origin of clava

From the Late Latin word clāva staff, club

Example Sentences

The word clover is a corruption of the Latin clava a club; and the "clubs" on our playing cards are representations of clover leaves; whilst in France the same black suit is called trefle.

From Herbal Simples Approved for Modern Uses of Cure by Fernie, William Thomas

In vain will tradition or texts of scripture be adduced in support of a doctrine, donec clava impossibilitatis et contradictionis e manibus horum Herculum extorta fuerit.

From Biographia Literaria by Coleridge, Samuel Taylor

In vain will tradition or texts of Scripture be adduced in support of a doctrine, 'donec clava impossibilitatis et contradictionis e manibus horum Herculum extorta fuerit.'

From The Life of Samuel Taylor Coleridge 1838 by Gillman, James

Cleaver represents Old Fr, clavier, a mace-bearer, Lat. clava, a club, or a door-keeper, Lat. clavis, a key.

From The Romance of Names by Weekley, Ernest

Clavipes is from clava, a club, and pes, a foot.

From The Mushroom, Edible and Otherwise Its Habitat and its Time of Growth by Hard, Miron Elisha