tooth

[[t]tuθ[/t]]

n. pl. teeth, [[t]ˈtu θɪŋ, -ðɪŋ[/t]]

1) den (in most vertebrates) one of the hard bodies or processes usu. attached in a row to each jaw, serving for the prehension and mastication of food, as weapons of attack or defense, etc., and in mammals typically composed chiefly of dentin surrounding a sensitive pulp and covered on the crown with enamel

2) ivt (in invertebrates) any of various similar or analogous processes occurring in the mouth or alimentary canal, or on a shell

3) any projection resembling a tooth

4) mac cv one of the projections of a comb, rake, saw, etc

5)

a) mac any of the uniform projections on a gear or rack by which it drives or is driven by a gear, rack, or worm

b) mac any of the uniform projections on a sprocket by which it drives or is driven by a chain

6) Bot.

bot any small, toothlike marginal lobe

7) a sharp, distressing, or destructive attribute or agency

8) taste, relish, or liking

9) teeth, effective power, esp. to enforce or accomplish something:

to put teeth into a law[/ex]

10) a roughened surface, as on a sharpening stone, grinding wheel, or drawing paper

11) to furnish with teeth

12) to interlock, as cogwheels

•

- in the teeth of long in the tooth set one's teeth show one's teeth to the teeth

Etymology: bef. 900; ME; OE tōth, c. OFris tōth, OStand, OHG zan(t), ON tǫnn; akin to Go tunthus, L dēns, Gk odoús, Skt dánta