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Larvae: meaning, definitions and examples

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larvae

 

[ หˆlษ‘หrviห ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

biological development

Larvae are the immature forms of an insect or other animal that undergoes metamorphosis. They often differ significantly in appearance and habitat from the adult forms. In many species, larvae serve as a stage of growth, feeding primarily to accumulate energy for their transformation. Common examples of larvae include caterpillars, maggots, and tadpoles, which will eventually develop into their respective adult forms.

Synonyms

caterpillar, grub, nymph, pupa

Examples of usage

  • The caterpillar is the larval stage of the butterfly.
  • Maggots develop from larvae that hatch from eggs laid on decaying matter.
  • Tadpoles are aquatic larvae that eventually metamorphose into frogs.
  • Some species of beetles have a distinct larval form called a grub.
  • The larvae of certain species can be harmful to crops and gardens.

Translations

Translations of the word "larvae" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น larvas

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคฒเคพเคฐเฅเคตเคพ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Larven

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ larva

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะปะธั‡ะธะฝะบะธ

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ larwy

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ๅนผ่™ซ

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท larves

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ larvas

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท larva

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ์œ ์ถฉ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ูŠุฑู‚ุฉ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ larvy

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ larvy

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ๅนผ่™ซ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ liฤinke

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ lirfur

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ะปะธั‡ะธะฝะบะธ

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒšแƒแƒ แƒ•แƒ

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ larva

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ larvas

Word origin

The term 'larvae' originates from the Latin word 'larva', which means 'ghost' or 'mask'. This term was used in the early 17th century by naturalists to describe the immature forms of insects, particularly those that underwent metamorphosis. The use of 'larvae' was first recorded in scientific literature as biology began to gain prominence as a field of study. The plural form 'larvae' is derived from the Latin plural ending, signifying the multiple immature forms of various organisms. Over time, the concept of larvae has expanded to include the early developmental stages of other animals, including amphibians and some marine species. The classification of larvae has also played a significant role in the understanding of life cycles and ecological relationships within ecosystems.

Word Frequency Rank

At #5,522 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.