lamina

noun

lam·​i·​na ˈla-mə-nə How to pronounce lamina (audio)
plural laminae ˈla-mə-ˌnē How to pronounce lamina (audio)
-ˌnī
or laminas
1
: a thin plate or scale : layer
2
: either of two broad, flat plates of bone of a vertebra that is fused with and extends from the pedicle to the median line of the neural arch to form the base of the spinous process and that along with the pedicle forms the posterior part of the vertebral foramen
3
a
: the expanded part of a foliage leaf as distinguished from the petiole : blade sense 1b
b
: the flattened photosynthetic part of an alga that typically arises from the stipe : blade sense 2e
4
: one of the narrow thin parallel plates of soft vascular sensitive tissue that cover the flesh within the wall of a hoof

Examples of lamina in a Sentence

the laminae of stratified rock were deposited separately, building upwards as time passed
Recent Examples on the Web The back procedure was a laminotomy, which is a removal of a small portion of the lamina and ligaments, according to the Mayfield Clinic. Daniel Rapaport, SI.com, 5 Oct. 2017 A lamina is simply a very thin sedimentary bed (less than a couple centimeters thick). Brian Romans, WIRED, 22 Aug. 2008

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'lamina.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Latin

First Known Use

circa 1656, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of lamina was circa 1656

Dictionary Entries Near lamina

Cite this Entry

“Lamina.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lamina. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

lamina

noun
lam·​i·​na ˈlam-ə-nə How to pronounce lamina (audio)
plural laminae -ˌnē How to pronounce lamina (audio)
-ˌnī
or laminas
: a thin plate or scale

Medical Definition

lamina

noun
lam·​i·​na ˈlam-ə-nə How to pronounce lamina (audio)
plural laminae -ˌnē, -ˌnī How to pronounce lamina (audio) or laminas
: a thin plate or layer especially of an anatomical part: as
a
: either of two broad, flat plates of bone of a vertebra that is fused with and extends from the pedicle to the median line of the neural arch to form the base of the spinous process and that along with the pedicle forms the posterior part of the vertebral foramen
b
: one of the narrow thin parallel plates of soft vascular sensitive tissue that cover the pododerm of the walls of an animal's hoof and fit between corresponding horny laminae on the inside of the wall of the hoof
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