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

As for myself, I had full work for my eyes, and postponed the exercise of my masticatory powers until another opportunity.

From Antigua and the Antiguans, Volume II (of 2) A full account of the colony and its inhabitants from the time of the Caribs to the present day by Anonymous

I can venture positively to assert that there is no vestige of a mouth, or masticatory organs, or stomach: I did not see any anus, but I will not affirm that such does not exist.

From A Monograph on the Sub-class Cirripedia With Figures of all the Species. by Darwin, Charles

The antennae have a spiniform or hooked masticatory process at the base, and share with the mandibles, which have a similar process, the function of seizing and masticating the food.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 7, Slice 7 "Crocoite" to "Cuba" by Various