noun
fibula
FIHB-yuul-uh
noun
1
The thinner of the two bones in the lower leg, running alongside the shin bone.
"She fractured her fibula in a skiing accident."
2
An ancient decorative clasp used to fasten clothing, similar to a large safety pin.
"Archaeologists found a bronze fibula in the Roman grave."
How to Use Fibula
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe thin outer bone of the lower leg, or (in archaeology) an ancient decorative pin.
Easily confused with
Word Forms
fibulae plural, fibulas plural, fibulæ plural
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Etymology
From Latin fībula ("buckle, clasp, pin") — the leg bone is named after the clasp because of how it pairs with the shinbone.