Larva

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /ˈlɑː.vÉ™/
• US IPA: /ˈlɑɹ.vÉ™/
• Rhymes: -ɑː(r)vÉ™
• Homophones: lava in non-rhotic accents

Origin

From Latin larva ("ghost-like, masked").

Full definition of larva

Noun

1. An early stage of growth for some insects and amphibians, in which after hatching from their egg, insects are wingless and resemble a caterpillar or grub, and amphibians lack limbs and resemble fish.
2. An animal in the aforementioned stage.
3. A form of a recently born or hatched animal that is quite different from its adult stage.

Usage notes

Although the plural larvas is somewhat common, it is regarded by some as incorrect.

Anagrams

• arval