Meaning & Definition of Lingua in English

Detailed Definitions

• Definition: A term used to refer to a specific language or tongue.

  Example Sentence: Latin is considered the lingua franca of the scholarly community.

• Definition: In anatomy, it refers to the tongue of a vertebrate.

  Example Sentence: The doctor examined the patient's lingua for any signs of infection.

• Definition: In a broader cultural or social context, it can refer to the language characteristic of a particular group.

  Example Sentence: The dialect is often described as the lingua of the local community.

Etymology

Origin: From Latin 'lingua', meaning 'tongue' or 'language'.

Synonyms

Common Phrases and Expressions

• lingua franca: A language that is used as a common means of communication between speakers of different native languages.
• lingua sacra: A sacred or liturgical language used by a particular religious group.
• lingua veritas: The language of truth, often referring to the clear and precise use of language.

Translations

• Spanish: lengua

• French: langue

• German: Zunge

• Russian: язык

Related Words

• bilingual: Fluent in two languages.

• linguistics: The scientific study of language and its structure.

• polyglot: A person who knows and is able to use several languages.

Slang Meanings of lingua

• Meaning: Slang for the use of a specific language in informal settings.

  Example Sentence: When we're chilling with friends, we usually switch to our lingua.

• Meaning: Referring to someone's ability to switch between languages effortlessly.

  Example Sentence: She's so good at languages, she's got a real knack for her lingua.