lytta

[ lit-uh ]

noun

, plural lyt·tas, lyt·tae [lit, -ee].

1. a long, worm-shaped cartilage in the tongue of the dog and other carnivorous animals.

lytta

/ ˈlɪtə /

noun

1. a rodlike mass of cartilage beneath the tongue in the dog and other carnivores

Word History and Origins

Origin of lytta¹

1595–1605; < New Latin < Greek lýtta, Attic form of lýssa rage, rabies; so named because the cartilage was thought to be a parasite causing rabies

Word History and Origins

Origin of lytta¹

C17: New Latin, from Greek lussa madness; in dogs, it was believed to be a cause of rabies

Example Sentences

We come now to the tribe of blistering beetles, of which the best known is the Cantharides (Cantharis or Lytta).

From Project Gutenberg

Unwormed, un-wurmd′, adj. not wormed, not having had the worm or lytta under the tongue cut out—of a dog.

From Project Gutenberg

Species of Lytta abound, but no use is made of them, the Shoans having no real medicine prepared from the animal kingdom.

From Project Gutenberg

When the lytta, alias blister beetle, arrives, prepare to give a warm welcome to him and all of his kind.

From Project Gutenberg