lunula

Everyday

1. (science) The white half-moon shape at the bottom of a fingernail or toenail. tree →
2. (history) A flat gold neck ornament shaped like a crescent moon, made in Ireland and Britain in the Bronze Age. tree →

In the lessons

In science lessons about the body, the lunula is part of the nail, usually biggest on the thumb. In history lessons about the Bronze Age, gold lunulae are shown in museums like the National Museum of Ireland. Phrases: nail lunula, gold lunula.

Examples

• The lunula is the white half-moon on your nail. tree →
• Your thumbnail has the biggest lunula. tree →
• The museum has a shiny gold lunula from the Bronze Age. tree →
• «Lunula» comes from the Latin word for «little moon». tree →
• Some people's lunulae are hard to see. tree →
• The Bronze Age lunula was worn around the neck. tree →

Note

Plural: lunulae (LOO-nyoo-lee). Pronounced LOO-nyoo-luh. Latin «luna» = moon (like lunar). A specialist word.