denticle

[ den-ti-kuhl ]

noun

1. a small tooth or toothlike part.

denticle

/ ˈdɛntɪkəl /

noun

1. a small tooth or toothlike part, such as any of the placoid scales of sharks

denticle

/ dĕn′tĭ-kəl /

1. A small tooth or toothlike projection, especially a dermal denticle.

Word History and Origins

Origin of denticle¹

1350–1400; Middle English < Latin denticulus, equivalent to denti- denti- + -culus -cle ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of denticle¹

C14: from Latin denticulus

Example Sentences

Recirculation patterns, highest velocity and vorticity developed directly on top of the denticles and in spaces between the denticles.

From Science Daily

But the suction cups wouldn’t stick to the rays’ mucus-covered dermal denticles—tooth-like scales that cover the bodies of sharks and rays.

From National Geographic

They analyzed the fossils’ rostral denticles, the spikes that jut from the sides of a sawfish’s snout to aid in foraging and self-defense.

From Scientific American

I wanted to reach out and touch its back, which was covered in denticles, V-shaped scales that were like teeth all over the shark’s body.

From Literature

But as the structure—and roughness—of dermal denticles varies around a shark’s body, it may also be a better place to scratch.

From Science Magazine