masseter

[ ma-see-ter ]

/ mæˈsi tər /

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noun Anatomy.

a short, thick, masticatory muscle, the action of which assists in closing the jaws by raising the mandible or lower jaw.

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Origin of masseter

1660–70; <New Latin <Greek massētḗr, variant of masētḗr chewer, masseter, equivalent to masē-, variant stem of masâsthai to chew + -tēr agentive suffix

OTHER WORDS FROM masseter

mas·se·ter·ic

[mas-i-ter-ik], /ˌmæs ɪˈtɛr ɪk/, adjective

Words nearby masseter

mass-energy, mass-energy equation, mass-energy equivalence, Massenet, masses, masseter, masseur, masseuse, mass extinction, Massey, mass hysteria

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

How to use masseter in a sentence

There was synchronous spasm in the masseter muscles, resulting in elevation of the inferior maxilla.
Tics and Their Treatment|Henry Meigne
The opening of the sinus is most commonly situated at the under margin of the mandible a little in front of the masseter muscle.
Manual of Surgery Volume Second: Extremities--Head--Neck. Sixth Edition.|Alexander Miles
This is especially true of the zygomatic division of the deep masseter, which inserts on the angular process.
Evolution and Classification of the Pocket Gophers of the Subfamily Geomyinae|Robert J. Russell
The masseteric fossa receives the insertion of the rostral or superficial division of the masseter muscle.
Evolution and Classification of the Pocket Gophers of the Subfamily Geomyinae|Robert J. Russell

The facial artery can be distinctly felt as it passes over the upper jaw at the front edge of the masseter muscle.
A Practical Physiology|Albert F. Blaisdell

British Dictionary definitions for masseter

masseter

/ (mæˈsiːtə) /

noun

anatomy a muscle of the cheek used in moving the jaw, esp in chewing

Derived forms of masseter

masseteric (ˌmæsɪˈtɛrɪk), adjective

Word Origin for masseter

C17: from New Latin from Greek masētēr one who chews, from masāsthai to chew

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