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mandible

man·di·ble [ mándib'l ] (plural man·di·bles)

noun

Definition:

1. lower jaw of vertebrate: the lower jaw of a person or animal, usually containing a single bone ( technical )

2. insect's mouthpart: either of a pair of parts in insects and similar animals used for biting and cutting food

3. bird's beak: the upper or lower part of a bird's beak

[Mid-16th century. Directly or via Old French< late Latin mandibula< Latin mandere "chew"]

man·dib·u·lar [ man díbbyələr ] adjective

man·dib·u·late [ man díbbyələt, man díbbyə làyt ] adjective, noun

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