Word of the Day : May 28, 2019

lacuna \luh-KOO-nuh\ noun

Definition

1 : a blank space or a missing part : gap; also : deficiency

2 : a small cavity, pit, or discontinuity in an anatomical structure

Did You Know?

Exploring the etymology of lacuna involves taking a plunge into the pit—or maybe a leap into the lacus (that's the Latin word for "lake"). Latin speakers modified lacus into lacuna and used it to mean "pit," "cleft," or "pool." English speakers borrowed the term in the 17th century. It is usually pluralized as lacunae; however, lacunas is an accepted variant plural. Another English word that traces its origin to lacuna is lagoon, which came to us by way of Italian and French.

Aired May 28, 2019

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