larva
UK[ˈlɑːvə]US[ˈlɑːrvə]
n
the active, immature form of an insect, especially one that differs greatly from the adult, such as a caterpillar or grub.
n
an immature, wingless, and often wormlike feeding form that hatches from the egg of many insects, before transforming into a pupa and then an adult.
Etymology
the word 'larva' was borrowed directly from latin in the mid-17th century. in latin, 'larva' originally meant a ghost, spectre, or a terrifying mask. this usage was adopted into scientific terminology by the swedish naturalist carl linnaeus, who applied it metaphorically to the immature, often concealed, and mask-like forms of insects before their final transformation. the etymological journey thus reflects a vivid shift from the supernatural realm to the natural world, capturing the idea of a hidden or disguised stage of life.
Analysis
the word is a simplex loanword from latin. it cannot be meaningfully segmented into smaller morphemes using its current english spelling.
Examples
the butterfly larva, known as a caterpillar, feeds voraciously on leaves.
after hatching, the larva will eventually enter a pupal stage.
marine biologists studied the larval forms of various fish species.