ligula

Latin ligula (“strap, spoon”), a variant of lingula ‘small tongue-shaped object’, itself partly derived from lingere ‘lick’ and partly a diminutive of lingua ‘tongue’.

• IPA^(key): /ˈlɪɡ.jʊ.lə/

ligula (plural ligulas or ligulae)

1. A strap or strap-shaped object, especially such a development in plants or insects.
   • 1974, Guy Davenport, Tatlin!:

     He unhasped the ligulae of his haversack, taking out a pair of blue jeans which he tossed to Bruno.

• ligulate
• ligule
• liguloid