denticle

noun

den·​ti·​cle ˈden-ti-kəl How to pronounce denticle (audio)
: a conical pointed projection (such as a small tooth)

Examples of denticle in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The denticles in shark skin can flex at angles more than 40 degrees from its body—but only in the direction of reversing flow (i.e., from tail to nose). Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 6 July 2023 Unlike the typical scales found on bony fishes, which are thin and overlapping, dermal denticles are hard and tooth-like in structure. Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes, 17 July 2023 Amy Lang, an aeronautical engineer at the University of Alabama who studies shark skin and was not involved in the research, says that replicating the drag-reducing properties of shark skin is even more difficult than just having denticle-like riblets. Marina Wang, Smithsonian Magazine, 20 Oct. 2022 What's interesting about that finding is that Troodon's diet has been the subject of much debate in paleontology due to its unique denticle pattern. Gemma Tarlach, Discover Magazine, 26 Apr. 2018 Dinosaur teeth from the three species studied have been scaled to same crown height for comparison of general shape and denticle details...with T. rex relative Gorgosaurus, not part of the study, joining the mix just for fun. Gemma Tarlach, Discover Magazine, 26 Apr. 2018 But don't expect to see swimmers sluicing through the water in denticle suits anytime soon. April Reese, Discover Magazine, 15 May 2014 The denticle record had been previously used to document shark occurrences in deep time. Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes, 1 Sep. 2021 On individual sharks, denticle patterns and sizes can vary. Joanna Klein, National Geographic, 28 July 2020

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'denticle.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin denticulus, diminutive of dent-, dens

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of denticle was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near denticle

Cite this Entry

“Denticle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/denticle. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Medical Definition

denticle

noun
den·​ti·​cle ˈdent-i-kəl How to pronounce denticle (audio)

More from Merriam-Webster on denticle

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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