Definify.com

Webster 1913 Edition


Larva

Lar′va

(lär′vȧ)
,
Noun.
;
pl. L.
Larvæ
(lär′væ)
, E.
Larvas
(lär′vȧz)
.
[L.
larva
ghost, specter, mask.]
1.
(Zool.)
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.
(Zool.)
The early, immature form of any animal when more or less of a metamorphosis takes place, before the assumption of the mature shape.

Webster 1828 Edition


Larva

L'ARVA

,

Definition 2024


larva

larva

See also: lárva and larvă

English

A salamander larva

Noun

larva (plural larvas or larvae or larvæ)

  1. 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.
  2. An animal in the aforementioned stage.
  3. 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.

Translations

Anagrams


Albanian

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /ˈlaɹ.va/

Noun

larva

  1. plural of larvë

Catalan

Noun

larva f (plural larves)

  1. larva

Czech

Noun

larva f

  1. larva

Declension


Italian

Noun

larva f (plural larve)

  1. larva, grub
  2. (figuratively) shadow, skeleton

Synonyms

Derived terms


Latin

Etymology

From Larēs (guardian deities).

Pronunciation

Noun

larva f (genitive larvae); first declension

  1. ghost, evil spirit, demon, devil
  2. (figuratively) horrific mask
  3. (figuratively) skeleton

Inflection

First declension.

Case Singular Plural
nominative larva larvae
genitive larvae larvārum
dative larvae larvīs
accusative larvam larvās
ablative larvā larvīs
vocative larva larvae

Quotations

  1. Larvae stimulant virum.
    "The ghosts rouse the man."


Derived terms

  • larvālis
  • larvāns
  • larvō

Descendants

References


Norwegian Bokmål

Alternative forms

Noun

larva m, f

  1. definite feminine singular of larve

Norwegian Nynorsk

Alternative forms

Noun

larva m, f

  1. definite feminine singular of larve

Portuguese

Noun

larva f (plural larvas)

  1. larva (early growth stage of some insects and amphibians)

Spanish

Noun

larva f (plural larvas)

  1. larva

Swedish

Etymology

From Latin larva (facemask).

Verb

larva (present larvar, preterite larvade, supine larvat, imperative larva)

  1. (reflexive) to behave flippantly, childishly or ridiculously; to tramp, to footle

Conjugation

Related terms