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
English
A salamander larva
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.
Translations
a stage of growth
|
|
an animal in such stage of growth
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Anagrams
Czech
Noun
larva f
Declension
Declension of larva
Latin
Etymology
From Larēs (“guardian deities”).
Pronunciation
- (Classical) IPA(key): /ˈlar.wa/
Noun
larva f (genitive larvae); first declension
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
-
- Larvae stimulant virum.
- "The ghosts rouse the man."
Derived terms
- larvālis
- larvāns
- larvō
Descendants
References
- larva in Charlton T. Lewis and Charles Short (1879) A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press
- larva in Charlton T. Lewis (1891) An Elementary Latin Dictionary, New York: Harper & Brothers
- Félix Gaffiot (1934), “larva”, in Dictionnaire Illustré Latin-Français, Paris: Hachette.
Swedish
Etymology
From Latin larva (“facemask”).
Verb
larva (present larvar, preterite larvade, supine larvat, imperative larva)
- (reflexive) to behave flippantly, childishly or ridiculously; to tramp, to footle
Conjugation
Conjugation of larva
Related terms
- larv
- larvig