lanugo

[ luh-noo-goh, -nyoo- ]

noun

, Biology.

, plural la·nu·gos.

1. a coat of delicate, downy hairs, especially that with which the human fetus or a newborn infant is covered.

lanugo

/ ləˈnjuːɡəʊ; ləˈnjuːdʒɪnəs /

noun

1. a layer of fine hairs, esp the covering of the human fetus before birth

lanugo

/ lə-no̅o̅′gō /

1. A covering of fine, soft hair or hairlike structures, as on a leaf, insect, or human fetus.

Derived Forms

• lanuginous, adjective
• laˈnuginousness, noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of lanugo¹

1670–80; < Latin lānūgō wooliness, down, derivative of lāna wool

Word History and Origins

Origin of lanugo¹

C17: from Latin: down, from lāna wool

Example Sentences

I have included the down on the human body and the lanugo on the foetus as a rudimentary representation of a hairy coat.

From Project Gutenberg

Man comes into the world covered almost entirely with lanugo or short fine hair.

From Project Gutenberg

Up to this time the body has been covered with a fine hair called lanugo.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• lint