masticatory

American  

[mas-ti-kuh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee] / ˈmæs tɪ kəˌtɔr i, -ˌtoʊr i /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or used in or for mastication.

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noun

plural

masticatories

1. Pharmacology. a medicinal substance to be chewed, as to promote the secretion of saliva.

masticatory British  

/ -trɪ, ˈmæstɪkətərɪ /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or adapted to chewing

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noun

1. obsolete a medicinal substance chewed to increase the secretion of saliva

Other Word Forms

• unmasticatory adjective

Etymology

Origin of masticatory

From the New Latin word masticātōrius, dating back to 1605–15. See masticate, -tory ¹

Example Sentences

And rotifers also have a specialized masticatory apparatus -- "teeth" -- that the team hypothesized could grind microplastics into smaller particles.

From Science Daily • Nov. 9, 2023

The cathode was positioned at the hiatus infraorbitalis, and the anode was inserted into the masticatory muscles.

From Nature • Apr. 4, 2014

With lime and the leaves of the betel-pepper, the areca-nuts when green form the celebrated masticatory of the East.

From The New Gresham Encyclopedia. Vol. 1 Part 2 Amiel to Atrauli by Various

Stomach generally provided with chitinous or calcified masticatory plates.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 11, Slice 5 "Gassendi, Pierre" to "Geocentric" by Various

A small quantity is taken by the Chinese ports, but whether as a masticatory or for tanning and dyeing I am not aware.

From The Commercial Products of the Vegetable Kingdom Considered in Their Various Uses to Man and in Their Relation to the Arts and Manufactures; Forming a Practical Treatise & Handbook of Reference for the Colonist, Manufacturer, Merchant, and Consumer, on the Cultivation, Preparation for Shipment, and Commercial Value, &c. of the Various Substances Obtained From Trees and Plants, Entering into the Husbandry of Tropical and Sub-tropical Regions, &c. by Simmonds, P. L.