noun
costa
KO-stuh
noun
1
A rib, or a riblike structure such as the thickened leading edge of a leaf or insect wing.
"The biologist pointed out the costa running along the front edge of the beetle's wing."
2
A stretch of Spanish coastline, especially as a holiday destination.
"They spent two weeks on the Costa del Sol every summer."
How to Use Costa
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA biological term for a rib-like part, or informally, a named stretch of Spanish coast.
Word Forms
costas plural, costae plural, Costas plural
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The biologist pointed out the _____ running along the front edge of the beetle's wing.
Etymology
Borrowed from Latin costa, meaning "rib" — a doublet of the English word "coast."