LaocoönA Trojan priest of Poseidon (or Apollo, depending on the author), whose rules he had defied (or whom he had otherwise offended), who tried to warn his fellow citizens against the Trojan horse. He was killed for this, along with his two sons, by giant snakes sent by Minerva (or Poseidon, or Apollo).
lastageA duty exacted, in some fairs or markets, for the right to carry things where one will.
latae sententiaeOf a penalty, coming into force as soon as a law is broken, by force of the law itself (such as excommunication for various specified offences).
latebricoleOf an animal, especially a spider: living concealed in a hole.
latibulateTo retreat and lie hidden; to hide in a corner.
latibulizeTo retire into a den, or hole, and lie dormant in winter.
laticiferousContaining latex; applied to the tissue or tubular vessels in which the latex of the plant is found.
LatinityThe quality of a particular person's Latin speech or writing; the Latin language, as an area of study or interest.
latissimus dorsiA large, flat, dorsolateral muscle on the trunk, posterior to the arm, and partly covered by the trapezius on its median dorsal region.
latisternalHaving a broad breastbone, or sternum (said of Pithecina, a former taxonomic classification that is now probably Pitheciidae or Pithecia)
latus rectumThe chord passing through a focus of a conic section, parallel to the directrix and terminated both ways by the curve. It is the parameter of the principal axis.
lauraceousBelonging to, or resembling, a natural order (Lauraceae) of trees and shrubs having aromatic bark and foliage, and including laurel, sassafras, cinnamon, true camphor, etc.