Definition of MANDIBLE

mandible

Plural: mandibles

Noun

  • The lower jawbone in vertebrates, or a jaw-like mouthpart in insects.
  • the jaw in vertebrates that is hinged to open the mouth
  • The jaw or a jawbone, especially the lower jawbone in mammals and fishes.
  • Either of the upper and lower segments of a bird's beak.
  • Any of various invertebrate mouthparts serving to hold or bite food materials.
  • Any of various invertebrate mouthparts serving to hold or bite food materials.
  • One of the anterior pair of mouthparts of an arthropod, designed for holding and cutting food.

Examples

  • He dropped MANDIBLE onto the board, opening up a crucial double-letter score for himself.

Origin / Etymology

From late Middle English, from Late Latin mandibula (“a jaw”), from mandō (“to chew, masticate”) + -bula (instrument noun suffix).

Synonyms

jawbone, jowl, lower jaw, lower jawbone, mandibula, mandibular bone, submaxilla, dentary, dentary bone, inferior maxillary bone

Scrabble Score: 13

mandible: valid Scrabble (US) TWL Word
mandible: valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
mandible: valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 17

mandible: valid Words With Friends Word