denticle

[den-ti-kuhl]

noun

1. a small tooth or toothlike part.

denticle

/ ˈdɛntɪkəl /

noun

1. a small tooth or toothlike part, such as any of the placoid scales of sharks

denticle

1. A small tooth or toothlike projection, especially a dermal denticle.

Word History and Origins

Origin of denticle¹

1350–1400; Middle English < Latin denticulus, equivalent to denti- denti- + -culus -cle ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of denticle¹

C14: from Latin denticulus

Example Sentences

The shark’s skin, we are told, is covered with triangular “denticles” rather than scales—essentially modified teeth.

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Identifying this structure was compelling evidence that the teeth on the tenaculum really are teeth and not leftover denticles.

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Recirculation patterns, highest velocity and vorticity developed directly on top of the denticles and in spaces between the denticles.

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This may have been because reef mantas have smaller dermal denticles and so there was less friction to keep the cups in place.

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They analyzed the fossils’ rostral denticles, the spikes that jut from the sides of a sawfish’s snout to aid in foraging and self-defense.

Read more on Scientific American