Ligula

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈlɪɡ.jÊŠ.lÉ™/

Origin

Latin ligula ("strap, spoon"), a variant of lingula ‘small tongue-shaped object’, itself partly derived from lingere ‘lick’ and partly a diminutive of lingua ‘tongue’.

Full definition of ligula

Noun

1. A strap or strap-shaped object, especially such a development in plants or insects.
• 1974, Guy Davenport, Tatlin!:He unhasped the ligulae of his haversack, taking out a pair of blue jeans which he tossed to Bruno.

Related terms

• ligulate
• ligule