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