Main Entry: man·di·ble

Pronunciation: \ˈman-də-bəl\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English, from Late Latin mandibula, from Latin mandere to chew; probably akin to Greek masasthai to chew

Date: 15th century

1 a : jaw 1a; especially : a lower jaw consisting of a single bone or of completely fused bones b : the lower jaw with its investing soft parts c : either the upper or lower segment of the bill of a bird
2 : any of various invertebrate mouthparts serving to hold or bite food materials; especially : either member of the anterior pair of mouth appendages of an arthropod often forming strong biting jaws

— man·dib·u·lar \man-ˈdi-byə-lər\ adjective

— man·dib·u·late \-lət\ adjective