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mandible definition

man·di·ble (man′də bəl)

noun

the jaw; specif.,
  1. the lower jaw of a vertebrate
  2. either of a pair of biting jaws of an insect or other arthropod
  3. either jaw of a beaked animal, as a cephalopod

Etymology: OFr < LL mandibula < mandibulum, a jaw < L mandere, to chew < IE base *menth-, to chew > mouth

Related Forms:

  • mandibular man·dib′u·lar (-dib′yo̵̅o̅ lər) adjective

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