— fibular , adj.
/fib"yeuh leuh/ , n. , pl. fibulae /-lee'/ , fibulas .
1. Anat. the outer and thinner of the two bones of the human leg, extending from the knee to the ankle. See diag. under skeleton .
2. Zool. a corresponding bone, often rudimentary or ankylosed with the tibia, of the leg or hind limb of an animal.
3. a clasp or brooch, often ornamented, used by the ancient Greeks and Romans.
[ 1665-75; fibula bolt, pin, clasp, prob. fivibula, equiv. to fiv ( ere ), early form of figere to fasten, FIX + -i- -I- + -bula suffix denoting instrument; the bone so called from its resemblance to the tongue of a clasp ]