buccinator

noun buc·ci·na·tor \ ˈbək-sə-ˌnā-tər \

Definition of buccinator

: a thin broad muscle forming the wall of the cheek

Origin and Etymology of buccinator

New Latin, from Latin bucinator trumpeter, from bucinare to sound on the trumpet, from bucina trumpet, from bov-, bos cow + canere to sing, play — more at cow, chant

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1615

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

Medical Dictionary

buccinator

noun buc·ci·na·tor \ ˈbək-sə-ˌnāt-ər \

medical Definition of buccinator

: a thin broad muscle forming the wall of the cheek and serving to compress the cheek against the teeth and to retract the angle of the mouth — called also buccinator muscle