Entomology. the immature, wingless, feeding stage of an insect that undergoes complete metamorphosis.
any animal in an analogous immature form.
the young of any invertebrate animal.
larvae, Roman Antiquity. malignant ghosts, as lemures.
Origin: 1645–55; < New Latin; special use of Latin larva a ghost, specter, mask, skeleton; akin to Lares
Can be confused: larva, lava.