What is the origin of 'sleep tight'?
Read moreOne of the mysteries of the English language finally explained.
A small rounded outgrowth on the integument of an insect larva or pupa.
Early 19th century; earliest use found in William Kirby (1759–1850), entomologist and naturalist. From post-classical Latin rumula little teat from classical Latin ruma, variant of rumis teat, nipple, of unknown origin + -ula.