First Known Use: circa 1760
Dictionary
ligula
noun lig·u·la \ˈli-gyə-lə\
plural lig·u·lae\-ˌlē, -ˌlī\ also lig·u·las
Definition of LIGULA
1
: ligule
2
: the distal lobed part of the labium of an insect
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Origin of LIGULA
New Latin
Medical Dictionary
ligula
noun lig·u·la \ˈlig-yə-lə\
Medical Definition of LIGULA
1
capitalized : a genus of tapeworms of the family Diphyllobothriidae that lack external evidence of segmentation, that as adults are usually extremely short-lived internal parasites of fish-eating birds but include one (L. intestinalis) found rarely in humans, and that develop almost to maturity in the body cavity of freshwater fishes
2
: a larval tapeworm developing reproductive organs and living in the body cavity of a fish
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