tusk

[ tuhsk ]

noun

1. (in certain animals) a tooth developed to great length, usually one of a pair, as in the elephant, walrus, and wild boar, but singly in the narwhal.
2. a long, pointed, or protruding tooth.
3. a projection resembling the tusk of an animal.
4. Also called gain. Carpentry. a diagonally cut shoulder at the end of a timber for strengthening a tenon.

verb (used with object)

1. to dig up or tear off with the tusks.
2. to gore with a tusk.

verb (used without object)

1. to dig up or thrust at the ground with the tusks.

tusk

/ tʌsk /

noun

1. a pointed elongated usually paired tooth in the elephant, walrus, and certain other mammals that is often used for fighting
2. the canine tooth of certain animals, esp horses
3. a sharp pointed projection
4. Also calledtusk tenon building trades a tenon shaped with an additional oblique shoulder to make a stronger joint

verb

1. to stab, tear, or gore with the tusks

tusk

/ tŭsk /

1. A long, pointed tooth, usually one of a pair, projecting from the mouth of certain animals, such as elephants, walruses, and wild pigs. Tusks are used for procuring food and as weapons.

Derived Forms

• tusked, adjective
• ˈtuskˌlike, adjective

Other Words From

• tuskless adjective
• tusklike adjective
• un·tusked adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of tusk¹

before 900; Middle English, metathetic variant of tux, Old English, variant of tusc tush ²; cognate with Old Frisian tusk; akin to tooth

Word History and Origins

Origin of tusk¹

Old English tūsc ; related to Old Frisian tosk ; see tooth

Example Sentences

Just before US election day, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, himself a former big figure in Brussels proclaimed on X: “The future of Europe no longer depends on presidential elections in the US, but primarily on Europe itself.”

From BBC

Polish PM Donald Tusk said the controversial move was meant to stop Belarus from "destabilising" Poland by allowing large numbers of migrants into the country.

From BBC

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has announced plans to temporarily suspend the right to asylum as part of a new migration strategy to combat irregular migration.

From BBC

During a speech at a meeting of his centre-right Civic Coalition political grouping in Warsaw, Tusk said people smugglers - aided by Belarus and Russia - were abusing the right to asylum.

From BBC

Tusk said he would present the new migration policy at a government meeting on 15 October.

From BBC

Related Words

• ivory