glossa

noun

glos·sa ˈglä-sə

ˈglȯ-

plural glossae ˈglä-ˌsē

-ˌsī,

ˈglȯ-

also glossas

: a tongue or lingual structure especially in an insect

especially : the median distal lobe of the labium of an insect

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin, borrowed from Greek glôssa "tongue" — more at gloss entry 3

First Known Use

circa 1852, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of glossa was circa 1852

See more words from the same year

Style

“Glossa.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/glossa. Accessed 7 Dec. 2022.

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