mandible meaning: definition, etymology

mandible

noun

CA, US /ˈmeə̯n.dɪb.əl/ · /ˈmæn.dɪb.əl/

Etymology From late Middle English, from Late Latin mandibula (“a jaw”), from mandō (“to chew, masticate”) + -bula (instrument noun suffix).

Anatomy, Biology, Medicine, Natural sciences, Sciences, Zoology, Zootomy The jaw or a jawbone, especially the lower jawbone in mammals and fishes.

Anatomy, Biology, Medicine, Natural sciences, Sciences, Zoology, Zootomy Either of the upper and lower segments of a bird's beak.

Anatomy, Biology, Medicine, Natural sciences, Sciences, Zoology, Zootomy Any of various invertebrate mouthparts serving to hold or bite food materials.

Anatomy, Biology, Medicine, Natural sciences, Sciences, Zoology, Zootomy One of the anterior pair of mouthparts of an arthropod, designed for holding and cutting food.

Synonyms: dentary, dentary bone, inferior maxillary bone, jawbone, lower jaw, submaxilla, fang
Derived terms: hemimandible, mandibular, mandibulate, mandibulous, micromandible
Related terms: mandibulary, mange, manger, jowl