Chapter 70

The upper wings are opacous; at their hinder ends, where they lap over, transparent, like the wing of a flay.

Grew.

Lap (?), v. i. [OE. lappen, lapen, AS. lapian; akin to LG. lappen, OHG. laffan, Icel. lepja, Dan. lade, Sw. läppja, L. lambere; cf. Gr. &?;, W. llepio. Cf. Lambent.] 1. To take up drink or food with the tongue; to drink or feed by licking up something.

The dogs by the River Nilus's side, being thirsty, lap hastily as they run along the shore.

Sir K. Digby.

2. To make a sound like that produced by taking up drink with the tongue.

I heard the ripple washing in the reeds, And the wild water lapping on the crag.

Tennyson.

Lap, v. t. To take into the mouth with the tongue; to lick up with a quick motion of the tongue.

They 'II take suggestion as a cat laps milk.

Shak.

Lap, n. 1. The act of lapping with, or as with, the tongue; as, to take anything into the mouth with a lap.

2. The sound of lapping.

Lap"a*ro*cele` (?), n. [Gr. &?; loins + &?; tumor.] (Med.) A rupture or hernia in the lumbar regions.

Lap`a*rot"o*my (?), n. [Gr. &?; loins + te`mnein to cut.] (Surg.) A cutting through the walls of the abdomen, as in the Cæsarean section.

Lap"board` (?), n. A board used on the lap as a substitute for a table, as by tailors.

Lap"dog` (?), n. A small dog fondled in the lap.

La*pel" (?), n. [Dim. of lap a fold.] That part of a garment which is turned back; specifically, the lap, or fold, of the front of a coat in continuation of collar. [Written also lappel and lapelle.]

La*pelled" (?), a. Furnished with lapels.

Lap"ful (?), n.; pl. Lapfuls (&?;). As much as the lap can contain.

Lap"i*cide (?), n. [L. lapicida, fr. lapis stone + caedere to cut.] A stonecutter. [Obs.]

Lap`i*da"ri*an (?), a. Of or pertaining to stone; inscribed on stone; as, a lapidarian record.

Lap`i*da"ri*ous (?), a. [L. lapidarius, fr. lapis, -idis, stone.] Consisting of stones.

Lap"i*da*ry (?), n.; pl. Lapidaries (#). [L. lapidarius, fr. lapidarius pertaining to stone: cf. F. lapidaire.] 1. An artificer who cuts, polishes, and engraves precious stones; hence, a dealer in precious stones.

2. A virtuoso skilled in gems or precious stones; a connoisseur of lapidary work.

Lapidary's lathe, mill, or wheel, a machine consisting essentially of a revolving lap on a vertical spindle, used by a lapidary for grinding and polishing.

Lap"i*da*ry, a. [L. lapidarius pertaining to stone: cf. F. lapidaire.] 1. Of or pertaining to the art of cutting stones, or engraving on stones, either gems or monuments; as, lapidary ornamentation.

2. Of or pertaining to monumental inscriptions; as, lapidary adulation.

Lapidary style, that style which is proper for monumental and other inscriptions; terse; sententious.

Lap"i*date (?), v. t. [L. lapidatus, p. p. of lapidare, fr. lapis stone.] To stone. [Obs.]

Lap`i*da"tion (?), n. [L. lapidatio: cf. F. lapidation.] The act of stoning. [Obs.] Bp. Hall.

La*pid"e*ous (?), a. [L. lapideus, fr. lapis stone.] Of the nature of stone. [Obs.] Ray.

Lap`i*des"cence (?), n. 1. The state or quality of being lapidescent.

2. A hardening into a stone substance.

3. A stony concretion. Sir T. Browne.

Lap`i*des"cent (?), a. [L. lapidescens, p. pr. of lapidescere to become stone, fr. lapis, -idis, stone: cf. F. lapidescent.] Undergoing the process of becoming stone; having the capacity of being converted into stone; having the quality of petrifying bodies.

Lap"i*des"cent, n. Any substance which has the quality of petrifying other bodies, or of converting or being converted into stone.

{ Lap`i*dif"ic (?), Lap`i*dif"ic*al (?), } a. [L. lapis, -idis, stone + facere to make: cf. F. lapidifique.] Forming or converting into stone.

La*pid`i*fi*ca"tion (?), n. [Cf. F. lapidification.] The act or process of lapidifying; fossilization; petrifaction.

La*pid"i*fy (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Lapidified (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Lapidifying (?).] [Cf. f. lapidifier. See Lapidific, and -fy.] To convert into stone or stony material; to petrify.

La*pid"i*fy, v. i. To become stone or stony.

Lap"i*dist (?), n. [L. lapis, -idis, a stone.] A lapidary. Ray.

Lap"il*la"tion (?), n. [See Lapilli.] The state of being, or the act of making, stony.

||La*pil"li (?), n. pl. [L. lapillus a little stone, dim. of lapis ||stone.] (Min.) Volcanic ashes, consisting of small, angular, stony ||fragments or particles. || ||La"pis (?), n.; pl. Lapides (#). [L.] A stone. || Lapis calaminaris (&?;). [NL.] (Min.) Calamine. -- Lapis infernalis (&?;). [L.] Fused nitrate of silver; lunar caustic.

La"pis laz"u*li (?). (Min.) An albuminous mineral of a rich blue color. Same as Lazuli, which see.

Lap"-joint`ed (?), a. Having a lap joint, or lap joints, as many kinds of woodwork and metal work.

Lap"land*er (?), n. A native or inhabitant of Lapland; -- called also Lapp.

Lap"land*ish, a. Of or pertaining to Lapland.

Lap"ling (?), n. [Lap of a garment + ling.] One who has been fondled to excess; one fond of ease and sensual delights; -- a term of contempt.

Lapp (lp), n. Same as Laplander. Cf. Lapps.

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Lap*pa"ceous (lp*p"shs), a. [L. lappaceus burlike, fr. lappa a bur.] (Bot.) Resembling the capitulum of burdock; covered with forked points.

Lap"per (?), n. [From Lap to drink.] One who takes up food or liquid with his tongue.

Lap"pet (?), n. [Dim. of lap a fold.] A small decorative fold or flap, esp. of lace or muslin, in a garment or headdress. Swift.

Lappet moth (Zoöl.), one of several species of bombycid moths, which have stout, hairy caterpillars, flat beneath. Two common American species (Gastropacha Americana, and Tolype velleda) feed upon the apple tree.

Lap"pet, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Lappeted; p. pr. & vb. n. Lappeting.] To decorate with, or as with, a lappet. [R.] Landor.

Lap"pic (?), a. Of or pertaining to Lapland, or the Lapps. -- n. The language of the Lapps. See Lappish.

Lap"ping (?), n. A kind of machine blanket or wrapping material used by calico printers. Ure.

Lapping engine, Lapping machine (Textile Manuf.), A machine for forming fiber info a lap. See its Lap, 9.

Lap"pish (?), a. Of or pertaining to the Lapps; Laplandish. -- n. The language spoken by the Lapps in Lapland. It is related to the Finnish and Hungarian, and is not an Aryan language.

{ Lap*po"ni*an (?), Lap*pon"ic (?), } a. Laplandish; Lappish.

Lapps (?), n. pl.; sing. Lapp (&?;). (Ethnol.) A branch of the Mongolian race, now living in the northern parts of Norway, Sweden, and the adjacent parts of Russia.

Laps"a*ble (?), a. Lapsible. Cudworth.

Lapse (?), n. [L. lapsus, fr. labi, p. p. lapsus, to slide, to fall: cf. F. laps. See Sleep.] 1. A gliding, slipping, or gradual falling; an unobserved or imperceptible progress or passing away,; -- restricted usually to immaterial things, or to figurative uses.

The lapse to indolence is soft and imperceptible.

Rambler.

Bacon was content to wait the lapse of long centuries for his expected revenue of fame.

I. Taylor.

2. A slip; an error; a fault; a failing in duty; a slight deviation from truth or rectitude.

To guard against those lapses and failings to which our infirmities daily expose us.

Rogers.

3. (Law) The termination of a right or privilege through neglect to exercise it within the limited time, or through failure of some contingency; hence, the devolution of a right or privilege.

4. (Theol.) A fall or apostasy.

Lapse, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Lapsed (#); p. pr. & vb. n. Lapsing.] 1. To pass slowly and smoothly downward, backward, or away; to slip downward, backward, or away; to glide; -- mostly restricted to figurative uses.

A tendency to lapse into the barbarity of those northern nations from whom we are descended.

Swift.

Homer, in his characters of Vulcan and Thersites, has lapsed into the burlesque character.

Addison.

2. To slide or slip in moral conduct; to fail in duty; to fall from virtue; to deviate from rectitude; to commit a fault by inadvertence or mistake.

To lapse in fullness Is sorer than to lie for need.

Shak.

3. (Law) (a) To fall or pass from one proprietor to another, or from the original destination, by the omission, negligence, or failure of some one, as a patron, a legatee, etc. (b) To become ineffectual or void; to fall.

If the archbishop shall not fill it up within six months ensuing, it lapses to the king.

Ayliffe.

Lapse, v. t. 1. To let slip; to permit to devolve on another; to allow to pass.

An appeal may be deserted by the appellant's lapsing the term of law.

Ayliffe.

2. To surprise in a fault or error; hence, to surprise or catch, as an offender. [Obs.]

For which, if be lapsed in this place, I shall pay dear.

Shak.

Lapsed (?), a. 1. Having slipped downward, backward, or away; having lost position, privilege, etc., by neglect; -- restricted to figurative uses.

Once more I will renew His lapsed powers, though forfeit.

Milton.

2. Ineffectual, void, or forfeited; as, a lapsed policy of insurance; a lapsed legacy.

Lapsed devise, Lapsed legacy (Law), a devise, or legacy, which fails to take effect in consequence of the death of the devisee, or legatee, before that of the testator, or for other cause. Wharton (Law Dict.).

Laps"i*ble (?), a. Liable to lapse.

Lap"sid`ed (?), a. See Lopsided.

Lap"stone` (?), n. A stone for the lap, on which shoemakers beat leather.

{ Lap"streak` (?), Lap"strake` (?), } a. Made with boards whose edges lap one over another; clinker-built; -- said of boats.

La*pu"tan (?), a. Of or pertaining to Laputa, an imaginary flying island described in Gulliver's Travels as the home of chimerical philosophers. Hence, fanciful; preposterous; absurd in science or philosophy. "Laputan ideas." G. Eliot.

Lap"-weld`ed (?), a. Having edges or ends united by a lap weld; as, a lap-welded pipe.

Lap"wing` (?), n. [OE. lapwynke, leepwynke, AS. hleápewince; hleápan to leap, jump + (prob.) a word akin to AS. wincian to wink, E. wink, AS. wancol wavering; cf. G. wanken to stagger, waver. See Leap, and Wink.] (Zoöl.) A small European bird of the Plover family (Vanellus cristatus, or V. vanellus). It has long and broad wings, and is noted for its rapid, irregular fight, upwards, downwards, and in circles. Its back is coppery or greenish bronze. Its eggs are the "plover's eggs" of the London market, esteemed a delicacy. It is called also peewit, dastard plover, and wype. The gray lapwing is the Squatarola cinerea.

Lap"work` (lp"wûrk`), n. Work in which one part laps over another. Grew.

Laq"uay (?), n. A lackey. [Obs.] Evelyn.

La"que*ar (?), n.; pl. Laquearia (#). [L.] (Arch.) A lacunar.

Laq"ue*a*ry (?), a. [L. laqueus a noose.] Using a noose, as a gladiator. [Obs. or R.]

Retiary and laqueary combatants.

Sir T. Browne.

Lar (lär), n.; pl. Lares (#), sometimes Lars (#). [L.] (Rom. Myth.) A tutelary deity; a deceased ancestor regarded as a protector of the family. The domestic Lares were the tutelar deities of a house; household gods. Hence, Fig.: Hearth or dwelling house.

Nor will she her dear Lar forget, Victorious by his benefit.

Lovelace.

The Lars and Lemures moan with midnight plaint.

Milton.

Looking backward in vain toward their Lares and lands.

Longfellow.

Lar (lär), n. (Zoöl.) A species of gibbon (Hylobates lar), found in Burmah. Called also white-handed gibbon.

Lar"a*mie group` (?). (Geol.) An extensive series of strata, principally developed in the Rocky Mountain region, as in the Laramie Mountains, and formerly supposed to be of the Tertiary age, but now generally regarded as Cretaceous, or of intermediate and transitional character. It contains beds of lignite, often valuable for coal, and is hence also called the lignitic group. See Chart of Geology.

Lar"board` (?), n. [Lar- is of uncertain origin, possibly the same as lower, i. e., humbler in rank, because the starboard side is considered by mariners as higher in rank; cf. D. laag low, akin to E. low. See Board, n., 8.] (Naut.) The left- hand side of a ship to one on board facing toward the bow; port; -- opposed to starboard.

Larboard is a nearly obsolete term, having been superseded by port to avoid liability of confusion with starboard, owing to similarity of sound.

Lar"board`, a. On or pertaining to the left-hand side of a vessel; port; as, the larboard quarter.

{ Lar"ce*ner (?), Lar"ce*nist (?) }, n. One who commits larceny.

Lar"ce*nous (?), a. [Cf. OE. larrecinos. See Larceny.] Having the character of larceny; as, a larcenous act; committing larceny. "The larcenous and burglarious world." Sydney Smith. -- Lar"ce*nous*ly, adv.

Lar"ce*ny (?), n.; pl. Larcenies (#). [F. larcin, OE. larrecin, L. latrocinium, fr. latro robber, mercenary, hired servant; cf. Gr. (&?;) hired servant. Cf. Latrociny.] (Law) The unlawful taking and carrying away of things personal with intent to deprive the right owner of the same; theft. Cf. Embezzlement.

Grand larceny &and; Petit larceny are distinctions having reference to the nature or value of the property stolen. They are abolished in England. -- Mixed, or Compound, larceny, that which, under statute, includes in it the aggravation of a taking from a building or the person. -- Simple larceny, that which is not accompanied with any aggravating circumstances.

Larch (lärch), n. [Cf. OE. larege (Cotgrave), It. larice, Sp. larice, alerce, G. lärche; all fr. L. larix, - icis, Gr. la`rix.] (Bot.) A genus of coniferous trees, having deciduous leaves, in fascicles (see Illust. of Fascicle). The European larch is Larix Europæa. The American or black larch is L. Americana, the hackmatack or tamarack. The trees are generally of a drooping, graceful appearance.

Larch"en (?), a. Of or pertaining to the larch. Keats.

Lard (?), n. [F., bacon, pig's fat, L. lardum, laridum; cf. Gr. (&?;) fattened, fat.] 1. Bacon; the flesh of swine. [Obs.] Dryden.

2. The fat of swine, esp. the internal fat of the abdomen; also, this fat melted and strained.

Lard oil, an illuminating and lubricating oil expressed from lard. -- Leaf lard, the internal fat of the hog, separated in leaves or masses from the kidneys, etc.; also, the same melted.

Lard, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Larded; p. pr. & vb. n. Larding.] [F. larder. See Lard, n.] 1. To stuff with bacon; to dress or enrich with lard; esp., to insert lardons of bacon or pork in the surface of, before roasting; as, to lard poultry.

And larded thighs on loaded altars laid.

Dryden.

2. To fatten; to enrich.

[The oak] with his nuts larded many a swine.

Spenser.

Falstaff sweats to death. And lards the lean earth as he walks along.

Shak.

3. To smear with lard or fat.

In his buff doublet larded o'er with fat Of slaughtered brutes.

Somerville.

4. To mix or garnish with something, as by way of improvement; to interlard. Shak.

Let no alien Sedley interpose To lard with wit thy hungry Epsom prose.

Dryden.

Lard (?), v. i. To grow fat. [Obs.]

Lar`da*ce"in (?), n. [See Lardaceous.] (Physiol. Chem.) A peculiar amyloid substance, colored blue by iodine and sulphuric acid, occurring mainly as an abnormal infiltration into the spleen, liver, etc.

Lar*da"ceous (?), a. [Cf. F. lardacé.] Consisting of, or resembling, lard.

Lardaceous degeneration (Med.), amyloid degeneration.

Lard"er (?), n. [OF. lardier. See Lard, n.] A room or place where meat and other articles of food are kept before they are cooked. Shak.

Lard"er*er (?), n. One in charge of the larder.

Lard"er*y, n. [Cf. OE. larderie.] A larder. [Obs.]

{ Lar"don (?), Lar*doon" (?), } n. [F. lardon, fr. lard lard.] A bit of fat pork or bacon used in larding.

Lard"ry (?), n. [See Lardery.] A larder. [Obs.]

Lard"y (?), a. Containing, or resembling, lard; of the character or consistency of lard.

Lare (?), n. [See Lore.] Lore; learning. [Obs.]

Lare, n. Pasture; feed. See Lair. [Obs.] Spenser.

Lare, v. t. To feed; to fatten. [Obs.] Beau. & Fl.

||La"res (?), n. pl. See 1st Lar. || Large (?), a. [Compar. Larger (?); superl. Largest.] [F., fr. L. largus. Cf. Largo.] 1. Exceeding most other things of like kind in bulk, capacity, quantity, superficial dimensions, or number of constituent units; big; great; capacious; extensive; -- opposed to small; as, a large horse; a large house or room; a large lake or pool; a large jug or spoon; a large vineyard; a large army; a large city.

For linear dimensions, and mere extent, great, and not large, is used as a qualifying word; as, great length, breadth, depth; a great distance; a great height.

2. Abundant; ample; as, a large supply of provisions.

We have yet large day.

Milton.

3. Full in statement; diffuse; full; profuse.

I might be very large upon the importance and advantages of education.

Felton.

4. Having more than usual power or capacity; having broad sympathies and generous impulses; comprehensive; -- said of the mind and heart.

5. Free; unembarrassed. [Obs.]

Of burdens all he set the Paynims large.

Fairfax.

6. Unrestrained by decorum; -- said of language. [Obs.] "Some large jests he will make." Shak.

7. Prodigal in expending; lavish. [Obs.] Chaucer.

8. (Naut.) Crossing the line of a ship's course in a favorable direction; -- said of the wind when it is abeam, or between the beam and the quarter.

At large. (a) Without restraint or confinement; as, to go at large; to be left at large. (b) Diffusely; fully; in the full extent; as, to discourse on a subject at large. -- Common at large. See under Common, n. -- Electors at large, Representative at large, electors, or a representative, as in Congress, chosen to represent the whole of a State, in distinction from those chosen to represent particular districts in a State. [U. S.] -- To give, go, run, or sail large (Naut.), to have the wind crossing the direction of a vessel's course in such a way that the sails feel its full force, and the vessel gains its highest speed. See Large, a., 8.

Syn. -- Big; bulky; huge; capacious; comprehensive; ample; abundant; plentiful; populous; copious; diffusive; liberal.

Large, adv. Freely; licentiously. [Obs.] Chaucer.

Large, n. (Mus.) A musical note, formerly in use, equal to two longs, four breves, or eight semibreves.

Large"-a`cred (?), a. Possessing much land.

Large"-hand`ed (?), a. Having large hands. Fig.: Taking, or giving, in large quantities; rapacious or bountiful.

Large"-heart`ed (?), a. Having a large or generous heart or disposition; noble; liberal. -- Large"-heart`ed*ness, n.

Large"ly, adv. In a large manner. Dryden. Milton.

Large"ness, n. The quality or state of being large.

{ Lar"gess, Lar"gesse (?), } n. [F. largesse, fr. large. See Large, a.] 1. Liberality; generosity; bounty. [Obs.]

Fulfilled of largesse and of all grace.

Chaucer.

2. A present; a gift; a bounty bestowed.

The heralds finished their proclamation with their usual cry of "Largesse, largesse, gallant knights!" and gold and silver pieces were showered on them from the galleries.

Sir W. Scott.

Lar"get (?), n. [Cf. F. larget.] A short piece of bar iron for rolling into a sheet; a small billet.

||Lar*ghet"to (?), a. & adv. [It., dim. of largo largo.] (Mus.) ||Somewhat slow or slowly, but not so slowly as largo, and rather more ||so than andante. || Lar*gif"i*cal (?), a. [L. largificus; largus large + facere.] Generous; ample; liberal. [Obs.]

Lar*gif"lu*ous (?), a. [L. largifluus; large abundantly + fluere to flow.] Flowing copiously. [Obs.]

Lar*gil"o*quent (?), a. [Cf. L. largiloquus.] Grandiloquent. [Obs.]

Lar"gish (?), a. Somewhat large. [Colloq.]

Lar*gi"tion (?), [L. largitio, fr. largiri, p. p. largitus, to give bountifully.] The bestowment of a largess or gift. [Obs.]

||Lar"go (?), a. & adv. [It., large, L. largus, See Large.] (Mus.) Slow ||or slowly; -- more so than adagio; next in slowness to grave, which ||is also weighty and solemn. -- n. A movement or piece in largo time. || Lar"i*at (lr"*t), n. [Sp. la reata the rope; la the + reata rope. Cf. Reata.] A long, slender rope made of hemp or strips of hide, esp. one with a noose; -- used as a lasso for catching cattle, horses, etc., and for picketing a horse so that he can graze without wandering. [Mexico & Western U.S.]

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Lar"i*at (lr"*t), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Lariated; p. pr. & vb. n. Lariating.] To secure with a lariat fastened to a stake, as a horse or mule for grazing; also, to lasso or catch with a lariat. [Western U.S.]

La"rine (?), a. (Zoöl.) Of or pertaining to the Gull family (Laridæ).

Lar`ix*in"ic (?), a. (Chem.) Of, or derived from, the larch (Larix); as, larixinic acid.

Lark (lärk), n. [Perh fr. AS. lc play, sport. Cf. Lake, v. i.] A frolic; a jolly time. [Colloq.] Dickens.

Lark, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Larked (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Larking.] To sport; to frolic. [Colloq.]

Lark, n. [OE. larke, laverock, AS. lwerce; akin to D. leeuwerik, LG. lewerke, OHG. lrahha, G. lerche, Sw. lärka, Dan. lerke, Icel. lævirki.] (Zoöl.) Any one numerous species of singing birds of the genus Alauda and allied genera (family Alaudidæ). They mostly belong to Europe, Asia, and Northern Africa. In America they are represented by the shore larks, or horned larks, of the genus Otocoris. The true larks have holaspidean tarsi, very long hind claws, and, usually, dull, sandy brown colors.

The European skylark, or lark of the poets (Alauda arvensis), is of a brown mottled color, and is noted for its clear and sweet song, uttered as it rises and descends almost perpendicularly in the air. It is considered a table delicacy, and immense numbers are killed for the markets. Other well-known European species are the crested, or tufted, lark (Alauda cristata), and the wood lark (A. arborea). The pipits, or titlarks, of the genus Anthus (family Motacillidæ) are often called larks. See Pipit. The American meadow larks, of the genus Sturnella, are allied to the starlings. See Meadow Lark. The Australian bush lark is Mirafra Horsfieldii. See Shore lark.

Lark bunting (Zoöl.), a fringilline bird (Calamospiza melanocorys) found on the plains of the Western United States. -- Lark sparrow (Zoöl.), a sparrow (Chondestes grammacus), found in the Mississippi Valley and the Western United States.

Lark, v. i. To catch larks; as, to go larking.

Lark"-col`ored (?), a. Having the sandy brown color of the European larks.

Lark"er (?), n. [See 3d Lark, for sense 1, and 1st Lark, for sense 2.] 1. A catcher of larks.

2. One who indulges in a lark or frolic. [Colloq.]

Lark's"-heel` (?), n. (Bot.) Indian cress.

Lark"spur (?), n. (Bot.) A genus of ranunculaceous plants (Delphinium), having showy flowers, and a spurred calyx. They are natives of the North Temperate zone. The commonest larkspur of the gardens is D. Consolida. The flower of the bee larkspur (D. elatum) has two petals bearded with yellow hairs, and looks not unlike a bee.

Lar"mi*er (?), n. [F., fr. larme tear, drop, L. lacrima. See Lachrymose.] (Anat.) See Tearpit.

La"roid (?), a. [Larus + - oid.] (Zoöl.) Like or belonging to the Gull family (Laridæ).

Lar"rup (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Larruped (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Larruping.] [Perh, a corrupt. of lee rope, used by sailors in beating the boys; but cf. D. larpen to thresh, larp a whip, blow.] To beat or flog soundly. [Prov. Eng. & Colloq. U.S.] Forby.

Lar"ry (?), n. Same as Lorry, or Lorrie.

Lar"um (?), n. See Alarum, and Alarm.

Lar"va (lär"v), n.; pl. L. Larvæ (-væ), E. Larvas (-vz). [L. larva ghost, specter, mask.] 1. (Zoöl.) Any young insect from the time that it hatches from the egg until it becomes a pupa, or chrysalis. During this time it usually molts several times, and may change its form or color each time. The larvæ of many insects are much like the adults in form and habits, but have no trace of wings, the rudimentary wings appearing only in the pupa stage. In other groups of insects the larvæ are totally unlike the parents in structure and habits, and are called caterpillars, grubs, maggots, etc.

2. (Zoöl.) The early, immature form of any animal when more or less of a metamorphosis takes place, before the assumption of the mature shape.