Definition

The lower jaw of an animal, which holds the teeth and helps in biting and chewing food.

Example

The dentist examined the patient's mandible for any signs of injury.

Conversation

Did you know that a crab's mandible is used for crushing its food?

No, I had no idea! That's really interesting.

Yeah, I read that it helps them eat tougher things like shells.

That makes sense! Nature has some cool adaptations.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Mandible → It is formed from "mandere" (meaning to chew) and the suffix "-ble" (indicating capability). The word "mandible" refers to the bone that is capable of chewing, specifically the lower jawbone.

Memory Tip

Think of the word 'mandere' which means to chew, and remember that a mandible is the part of the jaw that helps you chew.

Visually Confused Words