costa

noun

cos·​ta ˈkä-stə 

plural costae ˈkä-(ˌ)stē 

-ˌstī

1

: rib entry 1 sense 1a

2

: a part (such as the midrib of a leaf or the anterior vein of an insect wing) that resembles a rib

costal

ˈkä-stᵊl 

adjective

Word History

Etymology

Latin — more at coast

First Known Use

1565, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Medical Definition

costa

noun

cos·​ta ˈkäs-tə 

plural costae -(ˌ)tē, -ˌtī 

: rib

Biographical Definition

Costa

biographical name

Cos·​ta ˈkȯsh-tə 

Antonio (Luis Santos da) 1961–     prime minister of Portugal (2015–23)