dentalium

[ den-tey-lee-uhm ]

noun

, plural den·ta·li·ums, den·ta·li·a.

1. any tooth shell of the genus Dentalium.

dentalium

/ dɛnˈteɪlɪəm /

noun

1. any scaphopod mollusc of the genus Dentalium See tusk shell

Word History and Origins

Origin of dentalium¹

1860–65; < New Latin < Medieval Latin dentāl ( is ) dental + -ium -ium

Word History and Origins

Origin of dentalium¹

C19: New Latin, from Medieval Latin dentālis dental

Example Sentences

At the unveiling, Shaginoff wore a fire bag she’d made and decorated with dentalium shells.

From Seattle Times

Dentalium, a tusk shell often used in Indigenous jewelry, caught her eye in particular.

From Los Angeles Times

“I love it, because back in the day, our Cheyenne women wore a lot of dentalium,” she said.

From Los Angeles Times

Dentalium, a tusk shell often used in Indigenous jewelry, caught her eye in particular.

From Los Angeles Times

“I love it, because back in the day, our Cheyenne women wore a lot of dentalium,” she said.

From Los Angeles Times