‖n.; pl. L. Ligulæ E. Ligulas [ L., a little tongue. See Ligule. ] 1. (Bot.) See Ligule. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Zool.) (a) The central process, or front edge, of the labium of insects. It sometimes serves as a tongue or proboscis, as in bees. [ See Illust. under Labium, and Hymenoptera. ] (b) A tongue-shaped lobe of the parapodia of annelids. See Parapodium. [ 1913 Webster ]

{ } a. [ Cf. F. ligulé. See Ligule, and cf. Lingulate. ] 1. (Bot.) Like a bandage, or strap; strap-shaped. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Composed of ligules. [ 1913 Webster ]

Ligulate flower, a species of compound flower, the florets of which have their corollets flat, spreading out toward the end, with the base only tubular. [ 1913 Webster ]