frenum

[ free-nuhm ]

noun,plural fre·na

[free-nuh]. /ˈfri nə/. Anatomy, Zoology.

a fold of membrane that checks or restrains the motion of a part, such as the fold on the underside of the tongue.

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Origin of frenum

First recorded in 1655–65; New Latin, from Latin fraenum, frēnum “bridle, restraint,” of disputed origin

Also especially British, fraenum.

Words Nearby frenum

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use frenum in a sentence

Aetius, the first prominent Christian physician of whom we have any record, divided the frenum of the tongue.
Psychotherapy | James J. Walsh
Alar frenum: a small ligament crossing the supra-alar groove toward the root of the wing: Hymenoptera.
Explanation of Terms Used in Entomology | John. B. Smith
It is of slow growth, and forms an elongated swelling on each side of the frenum, covering the teeth, and projecting the lip.
Manual of Surgery Volume Second: Extremities--Head--Neck. Sixth Edition. | Alexander Miles
On each side of the frenum, under the mucous membrane of the tip, are mucous glands—apical glands—in which cysts sometimes form.
Manual of Surgery Volume Second: Extremities--Head--Neck. Sixth Edition. | Alexander Miles
A double fold of mucous membrane—the frenum—connects the under aspect of the tip with the floor of the mouth and the mandible.
Manual of Surgery Volume Second: Extremities--Head--Neck. Sixth Edition. | Alexander Miles

British Dictionary definitions for frenum

frenum

/ (ˈfriːnəm) /

nounplural -na (-nə)

a variant spelling (esp US) of fraenum

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

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