dentifrice

American  

[den-tuh-fris] / ˈdɛn tə frɪs /

noun

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

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dentifrice British  

/ ˈdɛntɪfrɪs /

noun

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

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Etymology

Origin of dentifrice

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

Explanation

Dentifrice is a fancy word for the stuff you put on your toothbrush to clean your teeth — in other words, dentifrice is toothpaste. In the 15th century, the equivalent word was dentifricie, and it meant "substance used for cleaning the teeth," from the Latin dentifricium, "powder for rubbing the teeth." The roots are dentis, "tooth," and fricare, "to rub," and that describes exactly how to use dentifrice. Your preferred form of dentifrice may be mint-flavored toothpaste, but many people use tooth powder instead, on a finger or a toothbrush.

Example Sentences

But who does not use a "dentifrice" instead?

From Time Magazine Archive

The $80 million U.S. dentifrice industry was as fidgety last week as a colony of Lactobacillus acidophilus milling around in a test tube.

From Time Magazine Archive

The Forhan Co. does not monger its dentifrice as a cureall.

From Time Magazine Archive

Four years ago, the American Den tal Association gave its seal of "recognition" to Procter & Gamble's fluoridated Crest toothpaste, and the $320 million dentifrice industry has not been the same since.

From Time Magazine Archive

Therefore the frequent use of oranges as a dentifrice is a habit of great value.

From Vitality Supreme by Macfadden, Bernarr