tusk

American  

[tuhsk] / tʌsk /

noun

1. (in certain animals) a tooth developed to great length, usually one of a pair, as in the elephant, walrus, and wild boar, but singly in the narwhal.

2. a long, pointed, or protruding tooth.

3. a projection resembling the tusk of an animal.

4. Also called gain.  Carpentry. a diagonally cut shoulder at the end of a timber for strengthening a tenon.

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verb (used with object)

1. to dig up or tear off with the tusks.

2. to gore with a tusk.

verb (used without object)

1. to dig up or thrust at the ground with the tusks.

tusk British  

/ tʌsk /

noun

1. a pointed elongated usually paired tooth in the elephant, walrus, and certain other mammals that is often used for fighting

2. the canine tooth of certain animals, esp horses

3. a sharp pointed projection

4. Also called: tusk tenon.  building trades a tenon shaped with an additional oblique shoulder to make a stronger joint

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verb

1. to stab, tear, or gore with the tusks

tusk Scientific  

/ tŭsk /

1. A long, pointed tooth, usually one of a pair, projecting from the mouth of certain animals, such as elephants, walruses, and wild pigs. Tusks are used for procuring food and as weapons.

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Other Word Forms

• tusked adjective
• tuskless adjective
• tusklike adjective
• untusked adjective

Etymology

Origin of tusk

before 900; Middle English, metathetic variant of tux, Old English, variant of tusc tush ²; cognate with Old Frisian tusk; akin to tooth

Example Sentences

The prehistoric species also had a straighter snout and smaller tusks.

From Science Daily

Its huge head holds a celebratory harness, and its curved tusks are painted with colorful designs.

From Literature

With their thick coats, curved tusks, and towering size, they grazed the vast steppes that stretched across the northern hemisphere.

From Science Daily

Somehow it rolled onto its side, and two long tusks swung into view.

From Literature

One of the group “plunged her tusks up to the gums in the body of my Land-Rover . . . again she charged, and the Land-Rover was carried backwards at high speed for thirty-five yards.”

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• ivory