English Explanatory Dictionary

masticatory

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. Something chewed, originally as a medicine, now typically for pleasure or to increase the flow of saliva.
adj
  1. Of, or relating to mastication.
  2. Used for chewing.

Pronunciation

/ˌmasˈtɪk.eɪ.tər.i/ /mæˈstɪk.əˌtɔr.i/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Rho9998-masticatory.wav

Word forms

masticatory masticatories

Etymology

From Latin mastico + -atory, the former borrowed from Ancient Greek μαστιχάω (mastikháō, “I gnash the teeth”), from μάσταξ (mástax, “that with which one chews”).

Derived words

extramasticatory masticatory force oculomasticatory paramasticatory
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