maxillary

American  

[mak-suh-ler-ee, mak-sil-uh-ree] / ˈmæk səˌlɛr i, mækˈsɪl ə ri /

adjective

1. of or relating to a jaw, jawbone, or maxilla.

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noun

plural

maxillaries

1. a maxilla or maxillary bone.

Other Word Forms

• intermaxillary adjective
• postmaxillary adjective

Etymology

Origin of maxillary

First recorded in 1620–30; maxill(a) + -ary

Example Sentences

The irritating insects have organs called maxillary palps that allow them to detect carbon dioxide from their prey.

From Slate • Aug. 19, 2022

This is especially true of the maxillary sinuses, under each eye.

From New York Times • May 3, 2022

It is created by the maxillary and palatine bones of the skull and, given its bony structure, is known as the hard palate.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

The maxillary sinuses are most commonly involved during sinus infections.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

It ordered his hand to seize the spoon, his mouth to receive the victual, his inferior maxillary jaw to get in motion, and itself accomplished the usual functions of digestion, unordered.

From Translations from the German (Vol 3 of 3) Tales by Musaeus, Tieck, Richter by Carlyle, Thomas