masseter

[ ma-see-ter ]
/ mæˈsi tər /

noun Anatomy.

a short, thick, masticatory muscle, the action of which assists in closing the jaws by raising the mandible or lower jaw.

Origin of masseter

1660–70; < New Latin < Greek massētḗr, variant of masētḗr chewer, masseter, equivalent to masē-, variant stem of masâsthai to chew + -tēr agentive suffix

OTHER WORDS FROM masseter

mas·se·ter·ic [mas-i-ter-ik] /ˌmæs ɪˈtɛr ɪk/, adjective

Example sentences from the Web for masseter

British Dictionary definitions for masseter

masseter
/ (mæˈsiːtə) /

noun

anatomy a muscle of the cheek used in moving the jaw, esp in chewing

Derived forms of masseter

masseteric (ˌmæsɪˈtɛrɪk), adjective

Word Origin for masseter

C17: from New Latin from Greek masētēr one who chews, from masāsthai to chew