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Dictionary Language resources

fibula

Pronunciation: /ˈfɪbjʊlə/

Translate fibula | into Italian

Definition of fibula

noun (plural fibulae /-liː/ or fibulas)

1 Anatomy the outer and usually smaller of the two bones between the knee and the ankle (or the equivalent joints in other terrestrial vertebrates), parallel with the tibia.

2 Archaeology a brooch or clasp.

Derivatives

fibular

Origin:

late 16th century: from Latin, 'brooch', perhaps related to figere 'to fix'. The bone is so named because the shape it makes with the tibia resembles a clasp, the fibula being the pin