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lamina

noun
lam·​i·​na | \ ˈla-mÉ™-nÉ™ How to pronounce lamina (audio) \
plural laminae\ ˈla-​mÉ™-​ËŒnÄ“ How to pronounce laminae (audio) , -​ËŒnÄ« \ or laminas

Definition of lamina

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 : the expanded part of a foliage leaf
4 : one of the narrow thin parallel plates of soft vascular sensitive tissue that cover the flesh within the wall of a hoof
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Synonyms for lamina

Synonyms

lamella, plate, scale

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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, "David Wright Undergoes Back Surgery, Intends to Return to Field," 5 Oct. 2017 A lamina is simply a very thin sedimentary bed (less than a couple centimeters thick). — Brian Romans, WIRED, "Friday Field Foto #60: Chunk of microbialite in mudstone," 22 Aug. 2008

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'lamina.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of lamina

circa 1656, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for lamina

Latin

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More Definitions for lamina

lamina

noun
lam·​i·​na | \ ˈlam-É™-nÉ™ How to pronounce lamina (audio) \
plural laminae\ -​ËŒnÄ“, -​ËŒnÄ« How to pronounce laminae (audio) \ or laminas

Medical Definition of lamina

: 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

More from Merriam-Webster on lamina

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with lamina

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for lamina

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