tonsils

Scientific  

/ tŏn′səlz /

1. The two oval-shaped masses of tissue at the back of the throat that lie between the mouth and the pharynx. The tonsils are thought to prevent infections of the breathing passages but often become infected themselves.

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tonsils Cultural  

1. Two masses of tissue on either side of the throat. The tonsils, part of the lymphatic system, help defend the body against harmful microorganisms.

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Formerly, tonsils were often removed surgically in childhood, but now they are not, unless the tonsils have grown too large or are continually subject to infection.

Example Sentences

Grandma would look at my teeth, my tongue, and my tonsils; and way on down into my throat.

From Literature

The players have had it up their tonsils with the fighting talk, knowing that only deeds and not words are going to get the job done, beginning in Rome on Saturday.

From BBC

The guards were slack-jawed with shock, tonsils on view to the world.

From Literature

About £6m was spent in a single year on removing patients' tonsils.

From BBC

She had a four-octave vocal range and the ability to perform everything from Schoenberg to a Spike Milligan hit about a man with too many tonsils.

From BBC