Fibula
/ˈfɪbjʊlə/noun
A bone in the lower leg, or a clasp used to fasten clothing.
Did you know?In Latin, *fibula* referred to a fastening pin or brooch, and the leg bone got its name because it was imagined as the smaller “clasp” beside the tibia.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*gʷhie-bh-
“A reconstructed root connected with fastening or securing (etymological details are uncertain and mediated through Latin).”
Latin
Latin
fibula
“A clasp, buckle, brooch, or fastening pin.”
Late Latin
Latin
fibula
“The smaller outer bone of the lower leg, named by analogy with a clasp or fastening.”
Old French
Old French
fibule
“A clasp or brooch.”
Modern English
English
fibula
“The outer and thinner bone of the lower leg; also a brooch or clasp in historical contexts.”