masseter

[ ma-see-ter ]

nounAnatomy.
  1. a short, thick, masticatory muscle, the action of which assists in closing the jaws by raising the mandible or lower jaw.

Origin of masseter

1
1660–70; <New Latin <Greek massētḗr, variant of masētḗr chewer, masseter, equivalent to masē-, variant stem of masâsthai to chew + -tēr agentive suffix

Other words from masseter

  • mas·se·ter·ic [mas-i-ter-ik], /ˌmæs ɪˈtɛr ɪk/, adjective

Words Nearby masseter

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How to use masseter in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for masseter

masseter

/ (mæˈsiːtə) /


noun
  1. anatomy a muscle of the cheek used in moving the jaw, esp in chewing

Origin of masseter

1
C17: from New Latin from Greek masētēr one who chews, from masāsthai to chew

Derived forms of masseter

  • masseteric (ˌmæsɪˈtɛrɪk), adjective

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