mandible

man·di·ble

noun \ˈman-də-bəl\

Definition of MANDIBLE

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

Origin of MANDIBLE

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

First Known Use: 15th century