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larva

Syllabification: (lar·va)
Pronunciation: /ˈlärvə/

Translate larva | into German | into Italian | into Spanish
Definition of larva

noun (plural larvae /-vē, -ˌvī/)

  • the active immature form of an insect, especially one that differs greatly from the adult and forms the stage between egg and pupa, e.g., a caterpillar or grub. Compare with nymph (sense 2).
  • an immature form of other animals that undergo some metamorphosis, e.g., a tadpole.

Derivatives

larval

Pronunciation: /-vəl/

adjective

larvicide

Pronunciation: /-ˌsīd/

noun

Origin:

mid 17th century (denoting a disembodied spirit or ghost): from Latin, literally 'ghost, mask'

Make the plural of larva by adding -e (as in Latin): larvae.

larva in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of larva in the British & World English dictionary