lacuna

views updated Jun 08 2018

la·cu·na / ləˈk(y)oōnə/ • n. (pl. -nae / -nī; -nē/ or -nas) an unfilled space or interval; a gap: the journal has filled a lacuna in Middle Eastern studies. ∎ a missing portion in a book or manuscript. ∎ Anat. a cavity or depression, esp. in bone.DERIVATIVES: la·cu·nal / ləˈk(y)oōnl/ adj. lac·u·nar·y / ˈlakyəˌnerē; ləˈk(y)oōnərē/ adj.la·cu·nate / -ˌnāt; -nit; ˈlakyəˌnāt/ adj. la·cu·nose / ˈlakyəˌnōs; -ˌnōz/ adj.ORIGIN: mid 17th cent.: from Latin, ‘pool,’ from lacus ‘lake.’

The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English

lacuna

views updated May 29 2018

lacuna (pl. lacunae). Literally a gap, applied to a Classical coffer in a ceiling, cornice-soffit, or any flat, level horizontal underside, a coffer under a cupola being a caisson. Lacunae are often elaborately ornamented with egg-and-dart, bead-and-reel, etc., and laquear is used to express the effect of mouldings separating the margins of panels in coffering.

A Dictionary of Architecture and Landscape Architecture JAMES STEVENS CURL

lacuna

views updated Jun 11 2018

lacuna A gap between cells, often filled with air. See LEAF GAP; compare LUMEN.

A Dictionary of Plant Sciences MICHAEL ALLABY

lacuna

views updated Jun 08 2018

lacuna XVII. — L. lacūna pool, cavity, f. lacus LAKE1.

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology T. F. HOAD

lacuna

views updated May 29 2018

lacuna an unfilled space or interval; a gap; a missing portion in a book or manuscript. The word comes (in the mid 17th century) from Latin, ‘pool’, from lacus ‘lake’.

The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable ELIZABETH KNOWLES

lacuna

views updated May 18 2018

lacuna A gap or cavity in the tissues of an organism; for example, the hollow centre of certain plant stems or any of the small cavities in bone in which the bone-forming cells are found.

A Dictionary of Biology