Lacuna: meaning, definitions and examples

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lacuna

 

[ ləˈkjuː.nə ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

gap, space

A lacuna is a gap or missing part, especially in a manuscript or a piece of text. It can also refer to an unfilled space in knowledge, a lack of something in a particular context, or an absence of a manuscript segment. The term is often used in literary and scholarly discussions to denote absent or overlooked elements.

Synonyms

absence, deficiency, gap, void.

Examples of usage

  • The manuscript had several lacunae that made it difficult to interpret.
  • There is a lacuna in her argument that needs addressing.
  • The archaeologist discovered a lacuna in the historical record.

Translations

Translations of the word "lacuna" in other languages:

🇵🇹 lacuna

🇮🇳 लैकुना

🇩🇪 Lücke

🇮🇩 lacuna

🇺🇦 лакуна

🇵🇱 luk

🇯🇵 ラクーナ

🇫🇷 lacune

🇪🇸 laguna

🇹🇷 lacuna

🇰🇷 라쿠나

🇸🇦 فجوة

🇨🇿 lacuna

🇸🇰 lacuna

🇨🇳 空缺

🇸🇮 lacuna

🇮🇸 lacuna

🇰🇿 лакана

🇬🇪 ლაკუნა

🇦🇿 lacuna

🇲🇽 laguna

Etymology

The word 'lacuna' comes from the Latin term for 'gap' or 'pool,' which is derived from 'lacus,' meaning 'lake.' Its usage in English dates back to the 17th century when it began to appear in literary and scholarly contexts. The term was initially used to refer specifically to physical gaps in texts, manuscripts, and other literary forms, particularly those where text was missing or faded. Over time, the meaning expanded to include metaphorical uses, such as gaps in knowledge, understanding, or information. Lacunae are important in various fields such as literature, psychology, archaeology, and history, as they highlight the incompleteness or fragmented nature of certain records or narratives.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #26,389, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.