lacuna

noun la·cu·na \lə-ˈkü-nə, -ˈkyü-\

: a gap or blank space in something : a missing part

plural la·cu·nae \-ˈkyü-(ˌ)nē, -ˈkü-ˌnī\ also la·cu·nas \-ˈkü-nəz, -ˈkyü-\

Full Definition of LACUNA

: a blank space or a missing part : gap <the evident lacunae in his story — Shirley Hazzard>; also : deficiency 1 <despite all these lacunae, those reforms were a vast improvement — New Republic>

: a small cavity, pit, or discontinuity in an anatomical structure

— la·cu·nar \-ˈkü-nər, -ˈkyü-\ also la·cu·nate \lə-ˈkü-nət, -ˈkyü-, -ˌnāt; ˈla-kyə-ˌnāt\ adjective

See lacuna defined for English-language learners

Origin of LACUNA

Latin, pool, pit, gap — more at lagoon

First Known Use: 1652

Related to LACUNA

Synonyms: crunch, dearth, deficit, drought (also drouth), failure, famine, inadequacy, inadequateness, insufficiency, lack, deficiency, paucity, pinch, poverty, scantiness, scarceness, scarcity, shortage, undersupply, want

Antonyms: abundance, adequacy, amplitude, opulence, plenitude, plenty, sufficiency, wealth

Medical Dictionary

lacuna

noun la·cu·na \lə-ˈk(y)ü-nə\

plural la·cu·nae \-ˈkyü-(ˌ)nē, -ˈkü-ˌnī\

Medical Definition of LACUNA

: a small cavity, pit, or discontinuity in an anatomical structure: as a : one of the follicles in the mucous membrane of the urethra b : one of the minute cavities in bone or cartilage occupied by the osteocytes

—la·cu·nar \-ˈk(y)ü-nər\ adjective