lacuna
luh-KYOO-nuh
/ləˈkjuːnə/
An unfilled space or interval; a gap, especially in a book, manuscript, or record.
Specifically refers to a missing piece of information or a physical hole in a historical document.
The story behind the word. In Latin, it meant a 'ditch' or 'pool.' It's related to the word 'lagoon.' Imagine a smooth surface of water with a deep hole or pit in the middle.
Word relationships
- gap: 'Gap' is the everyday word; 'lacuna' is the scholarly word for a missing part of a record.
Commonly confused with
- hiatus: A 'hiatus' is a gap in time; a 'lacuna' is a gap in the actual substance or content.
Word family
- lacunae (noun): The plural form of lacuna.
Collocations
- major lacuna
- historical lacuna
- fill a lacuna
Example sentences
- "The ancient scroll was well-preserved, except for a significant lacuna in the middle of the third chapter." A damaged ancient text.
- "There is a major lacuna in our understanding of how the prehistoric monument was built." A gap in knowledge.
Memory hook
Think of a 'Lagoon'—a big hole in the land filled with water. A 'lacuna' is a hole in a book. The missing piece.
When not to use
Don't use for a break in a conversation; use 'pause'.
Fun facts
- In anatomy, a lacuna is a small cavity or depression in a bone.
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