lin·gual \ˈliŋg(yə)wəl\adjective Etymology: Medieval Latin lingualis, from Latin lingua + -alis -al 1. a.: of or relating to the tongue < lingual inflammation > : resembling a tongue b.: lying near or next to the tongue < a lingual blood vessel > < the lingual surface of the teeth > c.of a speech sound: produced by the tongue; sometimes: dental or cerebral (sense 3a) 2.: linguistic