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View synonyms for

larva

[lahr-vuh]

noun

plural

larvae 
  1. Entomology.the immature, wingless, feeding stage of an insect that undergoes complete metamorphosis.

  2. any animal in an analogous immature form.

  3. the young of any invertebrate animal.

  4. Roman Antiquity.larvae, malignant ghosts, as lemures.



larva

/ ˈɑːə /

noun

  1. an immature free-living form of many animals that develops into a different adult form by metamorphosis

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

larva

plural

larvae 
  1. An animal in an early stage of development that differs greatly in appearance from its adult stage. Larvae are adapted to a different environment and way of life from those of adults and go through a process of metamorphosis in changing to adults. Tadpoles are the larvae of frogs and toads.

  2. The immature, wingless, and usually wormlike feeding form of those insects that undergo three stages of metamorphosis, such as butterflies, moths, and beetles. Insect larvae hatch from eggs, later turn into pupae, and finally turn into adults.

  3. Compare imago nymph pupa

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Other Word Forms

  • ˈ adjective
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Word History and Origins

Origin of larva1

First recorded in 1645–55; from New Latin; special use of Latin larva “a ghost, specter, mask, skeleton”; akin to Lares
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Word History and Origins

Origin of larva1

C18: (C17 in the original Latin sense: ghost): New Latin
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

These two parasite species have historically infected people in Southeast Asia who eat raw fish, crustaceans or vegetables that carry the parasite larvae.

From

Each pesticide treatment controls mosquito larvae for up to 90 days — so the treatment on those initial pools will wear off around mid-June, often the height of mosquito season.

From

For one, there are many different kinds that all look different, and evidence of parasitic infection can be excreted as parasitic larvae, which are microscopic.

From

She makes great round nests of leaves and teaches her offspring to eat wood-boring insect larvae and fruit, using those rodent-like incisors to break through hard skins or rinds to the sweet flesh inside.

From

In Glasgow larvae was found floating in stagnant water such as garden plant pots and ponds.

From

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