dentifrice

[ den-tuh-fris ]

noun
  1. a paste, powder, liquid, or other preparation for cleaning the teeth.

Origin of dentifrice

1
First recorded in 1450–1500; from Middle French, from Latin dentifricium “tooth powder, tooth paste,” equivalent to denti- denti- + fric(āre) “to rub” + -ium -ium

Words Nearby dentifrice

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How to use dentifrice in a sentence

  • It is exceedingly light and porous in structure, and at one time was used largely as an antacid as well as a dentifrice.

    The Sea Shore | William S. Furneaux
  • If you are wise, dear reader, you will never use a dentifrice, unless you know what it is made of.

  • Mouth-washes, it must be remembered, are as much used for rinsing the mouth after smoking as for a dentifrice.

    The Art of Perfumery | G. W. Septimus Piesse
  • It forms an excellent tincture for the teeth, and is the basis of the celebrated French dentifrice "eau Botot."

    The Art of Perfumery | G. W. Septimus Piesse
  • The last form, perhaps, the very best natural dentifrice known.

British Dictionary definitions for dentifrice

dentifrice

/ (ˈdɛntɪfrɪs) /


noun
  1. any substance, esp paste or powder, for use in cleaning the teeth

Origin of dentifrice

1
C16: from Latin dentifricium tooth powder, from dent-, dens tooth + fricāre to rub

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012