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canine

canine

9 3.8
A pointed tooth between the front and back teeth used for tearing food
  • noun
  • /ˈkeɪnaɪn/
translation icon : colmillo
  • In humans, the canines have become really small and rounded and actually function like accessory incisors.
  • a canine tooth
  • canines and incisors
  • a large canine tooth

Examples

  • So we see things like males are bigger and body, body size, they have bigger canine teeth, they have bigger bodies, more muscles.

  • The Muntjac has this, this long canine tooth here.

  • Adult male elephant seals can have canines as large as 6 inches long.

    Academic text (2009)
  • A dentist had treated the upper left canines of a 64-year-old woman.

    Academic text (2004)
  • Most male apes have large canine teeth that are used to fight and intimidate sexual rivals.

    Academic text (2010)
  • Ardipithecus had small canine teeth that resemble a human's more closely than a chimpanzee's.

    Academic text (2010)
  • "Hello, k-k-Uncle Sang," Nan said with a clumsy smile, which revealed his canine teeth.

    Fiction book (1994)
  • The doctor explained that the upper canine tooth is crucial for tearing food.

  • Many mammals have a sharp canine tooth between their incisors and premolars.

  • In some animals, the size of the canine teeth can indicate their diet and feeding habits.

Synonyms

canine tooth
vscanine
2 3.3

A pointed tooth next to the front teeth that tears food

is the shorter single word term rather than the full two word name
cuspid
vscanine
  • Specialized
1 8.3

A pointed tooth between the front teeth and the back teeth used for tearing food

is the general everyday term rather than the technical label
eyetooth
vscanine
  • Archaic
1 8.2

A pointed tooth next to the front teeth used for tearing food

is the standard anatomical name rather than the traditional label
eye tooth
vscanine
  • Archaic
1 6.7

A pointed tooth next to the front teeth in each jaw

is the general name for these teeth without focusing on upper ones
dogtooth
vscanine
  • Specialized
7.5

A long pointed tooth on each side of the mouth used for tearing food

is the neutral anatomical term not the colloquial variant

Compounds

2 3.3

A pointed tooth next to the front teeth that tears food

canine chorea
  • Specialized
9.0

A dog disease that causes sudden muscle movements without control

canine distemper
  • Specialized
5.1

A contagious virus infection in dogs that causes fever, cough, and sometimes brain problems

How Back

wisdom tooth
17 3.2
molar
26 2.5
posterior
  • Specialized
1 6.8
premolar
  • Specialized
2 4.0
canine
9 3.8
incisor
12 3.6

Surface Forms

canine singular
canines plural

Etymology

Canine comes from the Latin canis which means 'dog' because people thought these sharp front teeth looked like a dog's fang. So a canine tooth is the pointed tooth used for 'tearing' food.