maxilla
[ mak-sil-uh ]
/ mækˈsɪl ə /
noun, plural max·il·lae [mak-sil-ee] /mækˈsɪl i/.
a jaw or jawbone, especially the upper.
one of the paired appendages immediately behind the mandibles of arthropods.
Origin of maxilla
1670–80; < New Latin, special use of Latin
maxilla lower jaw, diminutive of
māla (<
*maxlā) upper jaw, cheekbone
Words nearby maxilla
max müller,
max out,
max.,
maxi,
maxi-,
maxilla,
maxillary,
maxillary antrum,
maxillary artery,
maxillary dentition,
maxillary gland
Example sentences from the Web for maxilla
British Dictionary definitions for maxilla
maxilla
/ (mækˈsɪlə) /
noun plural -lae (-liː)
the upper jawbone in vertebrates
See jaw (def. 1)
any member of one or two pairs of mouthparts in insects and other arthropods used as accessory jaws
Derived forms of maxilla
maxillar (mækˈsɪlə) or maxillary, adjectiveWord Origin for maxilla
C17: New Latin, from Latin: jaw
Medical definitions for maxilla
maxilla
[ măk-sĭl′ə ]
n. pl. max•il•las
Either of a pair of irregularly shaped bones of the skull, fusing in the midline, supporting the upper teeth, and forming part of the eye sockets, hard palate, and nasal cavity; upper jaw.
Scientific definitions for maxilla
maxilla
[ măk-sĭl′ə ]
Plural maxillae (măk-sĭl′ē) maxillas
The upper part of the jaw in vertebrate animals.