First Known Use: 15th century
Dictionary
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
1
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
2
: 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
MANDIBULATE Defined for Kids
mandible
noun man·di·ble \ˈman-də-bəl\
Definition of MANDIBLE for Kids
1
: a lower jaw often with its soft parts
2
: either the upper or lower part of the bill of a bird
3
: 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
2
: 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
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