odontophore

[ oh-don-tuh-fawr, -fohr ]

noun

, Zoology.

1. a structure in the mouth of most mollusks over which the radula is drawn backward and forward in the process of breaking up food.

odontophore

/ ˌɒdɒnˈtɒfərəl; ɒˈdɒntəˌfɔː /

noun

1. an oral muscular protrusible structure in molluscs that supports the radula

Derived Forms

• odontophoral, adjective

Other Words From

• o·don·toph·o·ral [oh-don-, tof, -er-, uh, l], o·don·toph·o·rine [oh-don-, tof, -, uh, -rahyn, -er-in], odon·tophor·ous adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of odontophore¹

First recorded in 1865–70, odontophore is from the Greek word odontophóros bearing teeth. See odonto-, -phore

Example Sentences

Lingual ribbon: The chitinous band of teeth, or rasp, borne upon the odontophore; the radula.

From Project Gutenberg