incisor

American  

[in-sahy-zer] / ɪnˈsaɪ zər /

noun

Dentistry.

1. any of the four anterior teeth in each jaw, used for cutting and gnawing.

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incisor British  

/ ɪnˈsaɪzə /

noun

1. a chisel-edged tooth at the front of the mouth. In man there are four in each jaw

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incisor Scientific  

/ ĭn-sī′zər /

1. A sharp-edged tooth in mammals that is adapted for cutting or gnawing. The incisors are located in the front of the mouth between the canine teeth.

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Etymology

Origin of incisor

1665–75; < New Latin: literally, cutter, equivalent to Latin incīd ( ere ) to incise + -tor -tor, with -dt- > -s-

Explanation

An incisor is a sharp front tooth, perfectly shaped and paired for the purpose of gnawing and cutting food. Humans usually have eight incisors, but opossums? They have 18! Did you know you are like the T. rex? You both have incisors! But, there are clear differences. Human incisors are about the size of a small almond and T. rex's were the size of a banana. Either way, these teeth play a crucial role in the initial stages of food processing by aiding in biting and preparing food for further chewing and digestion. Incisors are characterized by their relatively straight edges, making them essential for tasks like tearing into tough foods or biting into fruits and vegetables.

Example Sentences

Incisor sectioning requires only incisors and appears to be much more accurate.

From Ecological Studies of the Timber Wolf in Northeastern Minnesota by Frenzel, L. D.

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