mandible

[ man-duh-buh l ]
/ ˈmæn də bəl /

noun

the bone of the lower jaw.
(in birds)
  1. the lower part of the bill.
  2. mandibles, the upper and lower parts of the bill.
(in arthropods) one of the first pair of mouthpart appendages, typically a jawlike biting organ, but styliform or setiform in piercing and sucking species.

Origin of mandible

1375–1425; late Middle English < Late Latin mandibula jaw, equivalent to mandi- (combining form of Latin mandere to chew) + -bula noun suffix of means

Example sentences from the Web for mandible

British Dictionary definitions for mandible

mandible
/ (ˈmændɪbəl) /

noun

the lower jawbone in vertebrates See jaw (def. 1)
either of a pair of mouthparts in insects and other arthropods that are usually used for biting and crushing food
ornithol either the upper or the lower part of the bill, esp the lower part

Derived forms of mandible

mandibular (mænˈdɪbjʊlə), adjective mandibulate (mænˈdɪbjʊlɪt, -ˌleɪt), noun, adjective

Word Origin for mandible

C16: via Old French from Late Latin mandibula jaw, from mandere to chew

Medical definitions for mandible

mandible
[ măndə-bəl ]

n.

A U-shaped bone forming the lower jaw, articulating with the temporal bone on either side. submaxilla

Other words from mandible

man•dibu•lar (-dĭbyə-lər) adj.

Scientific definitions for mandible

mandible
[ măndə-bəl ]

The lower part of the jaw in vertebrate animals. See more at skeleton.
One of the pincerlike mouthparts of insects and other arthropods.