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



RESET




Word of the Day

15 June 2025

SCHNORR

(verb) obtain or seek to obtain by cadging or wheedling; “he is always shnorring cigarettes from his friends”


coffee icon

Coffee Trivia

Coffee starts as a yellow berry, changes into a red berry, and then is picked by hand to harvest. The red berry is de-shelled through a water soaking process and what’s left inside is the green coffee bean. This bean then dries in the sun for 3-5 days, where it is then packed and ready for sale.

coffee icon