masseter

[ ma-see-ter ]

/ mæˈsi tər /

noun Anatomy.

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

Nearby words

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

Related formsmas·se·ter·ic

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

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for masseter

There is often a very much enlarged infra-orbital foramen through which passes a part of the masseter muscle.
The Cambridge Natural History, Vol X., Mammalia|Frank Evers Beddard
Consequently, the masseter was able to extend from an anterodorsal origin to a posterior and ventral insertion.
The Adductor Muscles of the Jaw In Some Primitive Reptiles|Richard C. Fox
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
But in Captorhinus the masseter arose from the lower part of the cheek close to the outer surface of the coronoid process.
The Adductor Muscles of the Jaw In Some Primitive Reptiles|Richard C. Fox

Presumably the muscle was sheetlike and attached to the skull roof, medial to the attachment of the masseter.
The Adductor Muscles of the Jaw In Some Primitive Reptiles|Richard C. Fox

British Dictionary definitions for masseter

masseter

/ (mæˈsiːtə) /

noun

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

Derived Formsmasseteric (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