frenum

American  

[free-nuhm] / ˈfri nəm /

noun

Anatomy, Zoology.

plural

frena

1. 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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frenum British  

/ ˈfriːnəm /

noun

1. a variant spelling (esp US) of fraenum

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Etymology

Origin of frenum

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

Compare meaning

How does frenum compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• frenum vs. frenulum

Example Sentences

I used to curl up my tongue in front of the mirror and tauten my frenum into a white line, itself as thin as a razor blade.

From "The Woman Warrior" by Maxine Hong Kingston

If my mother was not lying she should have cut more, scraped away the rest of the frenum skin, because I have a terrible time talking.

From "The Woman Warrior" by Maxine Hong Kingston

Aetius, the first prominent Christian physician of whom we have any record, divided the frenum of the tongue.

From Psychotherapy by Walsh, James J. (James Joseph)

This inferior incision or section, alongside of the frenum was first advised by Celsus.

From History of Circumcision from the Earliest Times to the Present Moral and Physical Reasons for its Performance by Remondino, Peter Charles

Supra-alar bristles: in Diptera, are situated, one on the post-alar callus, one on the alar frenum, the third on the edge of the supra-alar depression.

From Explanation of Terms Used in Entomology by Smith, John. B.