carnassial Hear it!

carnassial Definition

car·nas·sial (kär nasē əl)

adjective

designating or of teeth of a flesh-eating animal specialized for slicing or shearing rather than tearing, esp. the last premolars of the upper jaw and the first molars of the lower jaw

Etymology: < Fr carnassier, carnivorous < Prov carnasa, bad flesh (+ pejorative -acea) < carn, flesh < L caro: see carnage

noun

a carnassial tooth

carnassial Usage Examples

Modifies a noun

  • tooth: The bone crushing premolars are relatively large and the carnassial teeth are used solely for slicing or shearing.

Browse dictionary entries near carnassial

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