tongue-tie

American  

[tuhng-tahy] / ˈtʌŋˌtaɪ /

noun

1. impeded motion of the tongue caused especially by shortness of the frenum, which binds it to the floor of the mouth.

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verb (used with object)

tongue-tied, tongue-tying

1. to make tongue-tied.

tongue-tie British  

noun

1. a congenital condition in which the tongue has restricted mobility as the result of an abnormally short frenulum

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Etymology

Origin of tongue-tie

First recorded in 1545–55; back formation from tongue-tied

Example Sentences

Fiona and Ben were told by a midwife that they would be better off getting tongue-tie surgery, also known as a lingual frenotomy, privately, as there would be a long wait on the NHS.

From BBC • Aug. 31, 2024

An estimated 7% of babies are diagnosed with a condition called tongue-tie, in which the connection between the tongue and the floor of the mouth is too strong and limits tongue movement.

From Science Daily • Apr. 29, 2024

Reporters traveled to Boise, Idaho, and observed tongue-tie surgery in Manhattan.

From New York Times • Dec. 18, 2023

Some babies with the condition struggle to latch on to the breast, but awareness of it as an infant feeding issue can be poor, and tongue-tie can be hard to spot.

From BBC • Feb. 12, 2022

Bolting of food or overeating results in vomiting and gas, and thus interferes with normal nursing, as also may tongue-tie.

From The Mother and Her Child by Sadler, William S.

Related Words

• cut off
• gag
• muffle
• mute
• muzzle
• quash
• quell
• squelch
• stifle
• subdue
• suppress