fibula

[ fib-yuh-luh ]
/ ˈfɪb yə lə /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR fibula ON THESAURUS.COM

noun, plural fib·u·lae [fib-yuh-lee] /ˈfɪb yəˌli/, fib·u·las.

Anatomy. the outer and thinner of the two bones of the human leg, extending from the knee to the ankle.
Zoology. a corresponding bone, often rudimentary or ankylosed with the tibia, of the leg or hind limb of an animal.
a clasp or brooch, often ornamented, used by the ancient Greeks and Romans.

Origin of fibula

1665–75; < New Latin; Latin fībula bolt, pin, clasp, probably < *fīvibula, equivalent to fīv(ere), early form of fīgere to fasten, fix + -i- -i- + -bula suffix denoting instrument; the bone so called from its resemblance to the tongue of a clasp

OTHER WORDS FROM fibula

fib·u·lar, adjective

Words nearby fibula

fibrous root, fibrous tissue, fibrous tubercle, fibrovascular, fibrovascular bundle, fibula, fibular artery, fibular nerve, fibular vein, fibulocalcaneal, fica

Words related to fibula

clamp, clip, catch, harness, fastening, hasp, clasp, grip, hug, pin, snap, clutch, buckle, clinch, brooch, grapple, embrace, clench, grasp, hold

Example sentences from the Web for fibula

British Dictionary definitions for fibula

fibula
/ (ˈfɪbjʊlə) /

noun plural -lae (-ˌliː) or -las

the outer and thinner of the two bones between the knee and ankle of the human leg Compare tibia
the corresponding bone in other vertebrates
a metal brooch resembling a safety pin, often highly decorated, common in Europe after 1300 bc

Derived forms of fibula

fibular, adjective

Word Origin for fibula

C17: from Latin: clasp, probably from fīgere to fasten

Medical definitions for fibula

fibula
[ fĭb′yə-lə ]

n. pl. fib•u•las

The outer, narrower, and smaller of the two bones of the human lower leg, extending from the knee to the ankle, and articulating with the tibia above and the tibia and talus below. calf bone

Other words from fibula

fib′u•lar (-lər) adj.

Scientific definitions for fibula

fibula
[ fĭb′yə-lə ]

Plural fibulae (fĭb′yə-lē′) fibulas

The smaller of the two bones of the lower leg or lower portion of the hind leg. See more at skeleton.