carnassial

[ kahr-nas-ee-uhl ]

adjective

1. (of teeth) adapted for shearing flesh.

noun

1. a carnassial tooth, especially the last upper premolar or the first lower molar tooth of certain carnivores.

carnassial

/ kɑːˈnæsɪəl /

adjective

1. zoology of, relating to, or designating the last upper premolar and first lower molar teeth of carnivores, which have sharp edges for tearing flesh

noun

1. a carnassial tooth

Word History and Origins

Origin of carnassial¹

1840–50; < French carnassi ( er ) flesh-eating (< Provençal, equivalent to carnasse augmentative derivative of carn flesh, meat (< Latin carn-, stem of carō ) + -ier -ary ) + -al ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of carnassial¹

C19: from French carnassier meat-eating, from Provençal, from carnasso abundance of meat, from carn meat, flesh, from Latin carō

Example Sentences

Creodont fossils have long, narrow skulls similar in shape to a coyote’s, and carnassial molars, which cut through meat and bone like a pair of sharp scissors.

From Seattle Times

In the cheek-series there is one specially modified tooth in each jaw, to which the name of “sectorial” or “carnassial” is applied.

From Project Gutenberg

Further, you know from experience that such and such definitely modified organs are invariably found with the carnivorous habit, carnassial teeth, for example, and reduced clavicles.

From Project Gutenberg

The second is strong and essentially carnassial; it is compressed laterally and obliquely placed.

From Project Gutenberg

This tooth is called the sectorial, or carnassial.

From Project Gutenberg