Main Entry: mas·se·ter

Pronunciation: \mə-ˈsē-tər, ma-\

Function: noun

Etymology: New Latin, from Greek masētēr, from masasthai to chew — more at mandible

Date: 1578

: a large muscle that raises the lower jaw and assists in mastication

— mas·se·ter·ic \ˌma-sə-ˈter-ik\ adjective