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Lacuna

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la⋅cu⋅na

  [luh-kyoo-nuh]
Use Lacuna in a Sentence
–noun, plural -nae  [-nee] , -nas.
1. a gap or missing part, as in a manuscript, series, or logical argument; hiatus.
2. Anatomy. one of the numerous minute cavities in the substance of bone, supposed to contain nucleate cells.
3. Botany. an air space in the cellular tissue of plants.
Origin:
1655–65; < L lacūna ditch, pit, hole, gap, deficiency, akin to lacus vat, lake 1 . Cf. lagoon
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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la·cu·na   (lə-kyōō'nə)   
n.   pl. la·cu·nae (-nē) or la·cu·nas

  1. An empty space or a missing part; a gap: "self-centered in opinion, with curious lacunae of astounding ignorance" (Frank Norris).

  2. Anatomy A cavity, space, or depression, especially in a bone, containing cartilage or bone cells.


[Latin lacūna; see lagoon.]
la·cu'nal adj.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

lacuna 
1663, "blank or missing portion in a manuscript," from L. lacuna "hole, pit," dim. of lacus "pond, lake" (see lake (1)).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: la·cu·na
Pronunciation: l&-'k(y)ü-n&
Function: noun
Inflected Form: plural la·cu·nae /-'kyü-(")nE, -'kü-"nI/
: a small cavity, pit, or discontinuity in an anatomical structure: as a : one of the follicles in the mucous membrane of theurethra b : one of the minute cavities in bone or cartilage occupied by the osteocytes —la·cu·nar /-'k(y)ü-n&r/ adjective
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

lacuna la·cu·na (lə-ky&oomacr;'nə)
n. pl. la·cu·nas or la·cu·nae (-nē)

  1. An anatomical cavity, space, or depression, especially in a bone.

  2. An empty space or a missing part; a gap; a defect.

  3. An abnormal space between the strata or between the cellular elements of the epidermis.

  4. See corneal space.

la·cu'nal adj.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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