Lacuna
Word of the Day
What is Lacuna?
noun
An unfilled space or gap; a missing portion in a manuscript, argument, or system.
Pronunciation
Why This Word?
Chosen to encourage curiosity about missing pieces, not just present ones.
Examples of Use
Here's how this word appears in everyday language:
There is a lacuna between theory and practice.
Editors noted a lacuna in chapter three.
The dataset’s lacunae skew the conclusions.
Word Origins
Latin lacuna “pit, hole, gap,” diminutive of lacus “lake”
Plural is lacunae or lacunas.
First appearance in English: 17th century
Word Family
Related forms of this word:
-
Noun:
A gap in evidence remained.
-
Noun:
An omission weakened the report.
-
Noun:
An ellipsis signaled a lacuna.
Around the World
How this word appears in other languages:
- Spanish: laguna (hueco)
- French: lacune
- German: Lücke
- Italian: lacuna
- Portuguese: lacuna
If you Already Know This Word
If you've mastered this word, try these more advanced alternatives:
Hiatus
A break in continuity; lacuna stresses absence.
Void
Total emptiness; lacuna may be bounded/specific.
Deficiency
Lack of needed element; lacuna is a gap in text or logic.
Fun Facts
- Bone tissue has microscopic “lacunae” that house osteocytes.
- Scholars sometimes print brackets […] to mark lacunae in texts.
Cultural Usage
- Classical manuscripts often contain lacunae where text was lost.
- Legal lacunae require judicial interpretation or new statutes.
Common Mistakes
Not “laguna” (Spanish for lagoon); false friend.
Micro Story
Her survey revealed a lacuna in the historical record.