mandible

noun man·di·ble \ˈman-də-bəl\

: either the upper or lower part of a bird's beak

: a part of an insect's mouth that looks like a jaw and is often used for biting things

Full Definition of MANDIBLE

a : jaw 1a; especially : a lower jaw consisting of a single bone or of completely fused bones

b : the lower jaw with its investing soft parts

c : either the upper or lower segment of the bill of a bird

: any of various invertebrate mouthparts serving to hold or bite food materials; especially : either member of the anterior pair of mouth appendages of an arthropod often forming strong biting jaws

— man·dib·u·lar \man-ˈdi-byə-lər\ adjective

— man·dib·u·late \-lət\ adjective

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Origin of MANDIBLE

Middle English, from Late Latin mandibula, from Latin mandere to chew; probably akin to Greek masasthai to chew

First Known Use: 15th century

MANDIBLE Defined for Kids

mandible

noun man·di·ble \ˈman-də-bəl\

Definition of MANDIBLE for Kids

: a lower jaw often with its soft parts

: either the upper or lower part of the bill of a bird

: either of a pair of mouth parts of some invertebrates (as an insect) that are usually used for biting

Medical Dictionary

mandible

noun man·di·ble \ˈman-də-bəl\

Medical Definition of MANDIBLE

a : jaw 1; especially : jaw 1b b : the lower jaw with its investing soft parts

: any of various invertebrate mouthparts serving to hold or bite food materials; especially : either member of the anterior pair of mouth appendages of an arthropod often forming strong biting jaws