edental

9.9

Having few or no teeth

adjective
/ɪˈdɛntəl/

Specialized

: edentado

Unlike most other mammals, the pangolin is edental and has no teeth at all.

Examples

Some mammals, such as anteaters, are edental and lack functional teeth.
Researchers studied the feeding habits of several edental species in the rainforest.
The edental animal struggled to eat its food.
The edental fish can still feed on soft algae.
Some mammals, such as anteaters, are edental and lack functional teeth.
Researchers studied the feeding habits of several edental species in the rainforest.
Unlike most other mammals, the pangolin is edental and has no teeth at all.

Synonyms

toothless

vsedental

13 2.4

Having no teeth in the mouth

can also describe animals that still have a few teeth

edentulate

vsedental

Specialized

9.9

Having few or no teeth

is a general term not limited to natural causes

edentate

vsedental

Specialized

9.9

Having few or no teeth

allows animals with only a few teeth remaining

edentulous

vsedental

Specialized

9.9

Having no natural teeth and often wearing false teeth

can also refer to animals missing teeth for any reason

untoothed

vsedental

7.2

Having a smooth edge with no small sharp points

applies to animals' tooth numbers, not edge smoothness

Antonyms

toothed

1 3.7

Having teeth in the mouth for biting and chewing

How Toothless

edentulous

Specialized

9.9

edental

Specialized

9.9

dentate

Specialized

9.4

Surface Forms

edental positive

Morphology

edental = dental (semi-transparent) = e + dental

The relation to 'dental' (relating to teeth) is clear, but the prefix 'e-' meaning 'without' is not a common productive negative in modern English, so learners may not reliably infer 'without teeth'.

Etymology

Edental comes from the parts e- meaning 'without' and dent meaning 'tooth', the same root you see in dentist and dental. So an edental animal is one that has few or no teeth.