‖ Talpa1
(ˈtælpə)
[L. talpa mole.]
1. Zool. The genus typified by the common mole (Talpa europæa).
| [1398 Trevisa Barth. De P.R. xviii. cii. (Bodl. MS.), The wonte [v.r. molle] hiȝt Talpa.] 1706 Phillips (ed. 6), Talpa, (Lat.) the Mole or Want. |
2. Path. An encysted cranial tumour; a wen.
| 1693 tr. Blancard's Phys. Dict. (ed. 2), Talpa, a Tumor, so called, because that as a Mole..creeps under ground; so this feeds upon the Scull under the Skin. 1726 Quincy Lex. Phys.-Med. (ed. 3), Talpæ and Nates, are Tumours generally confined to the Head. 1857 Dunglison Med. Lex., Talpa,..a tumour on the head, which has been supposed to burrow like a mole. 1890 Billings Nat. Med. Dict., Talpa,..abscess in superior and posterior part of head. |