larva (ante-class. as trisyl. lārŭa), ae, f. [2. lar],
I a ghost, spectre : larvae stimulant virum, Plaut. Capt. 3, 4, 66: amator qui me et uxorem ludificatust larva, id. Cas. 3, 4, 2; id. Aul. 4, 4, 15: cum mortuis non nisi larvas luctari, Plin. H. N. praef. § 31.—As a term of reproach, hobgoblin, scarecrow : etiam loquere larŭa? Plaut. Merc. 5, 4, 20: nam haec quidem edepol larvarum plenast, possessed , id. Am. 2, 2, 145.—
II Transf.
A A mask (cf. persona): nil illi larva et tragicis opus esse cothurnis, Hor. S. 1, 5, 64.—
B A skeleton , Petr. 34, 8.