LARVA

larva

(noun) the immature free-living form of most invertebrates and amphibians and fish which at hatching from the egg is fundamentally unlike its parent and must metamorphose

Source: WordNet® 3.1


Etymology

Noun

larva (plural larvas or larvae or larvæ)

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.

An animal in the aforementioned stage.

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

• Raval, alvar, arval, lavra

Source: Wiktionary


Lar"va, n.; pl. L. Larvæ, E. Larvas. Etym: [L. larva ghost, specter, mask.]

1. (Zoöl.)

Definition: Any young insect from the time that it hatches from the egg until it becomes a pupa, or chrysalis. During this time it usually molts several times, and may change its form or color each time. The larvæ of many insects are much like the adults in form and habits, but have no trace of wings, the rudimentary wings appearing only in the pupa stage. In other groups of insects the larvæ are totally unlike the parents in structure and habits, and are called caterpillars, grubs, maggots, etc.

2. (Zoöl.)

Definition: The early, immature form of any animal when more or less of a metamorphosis takes place, before the assumption of the mature shape.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition



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Word of the Day

22 January 2025

MEGALITH

(noun) memorial consisting of a very large stone forming part of a prehistoric structure (especially in western Europe)


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Coffee Trivia

Coffee dates back to the 9th century. Goat herders in Ethiopia noticed their goats seem to be “dancing” after eating berries from a particular shrub. They reported it to the local monastery, and a monk made a drink out of it. The monk found out he felt energized and kept him awake at night. That’s how the first coffee drink was born.

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