carnassial
/kɑrˈnæsiəl/
noun
- A carnassial tooth, typically the last upper premolar and first lower molar, used for cutting flesh.
- A veterinarian checked the cat's carnassials for signs of decay.
- In hyenas, the carnassials are extremely powerful for crushing bones.
- The wolf's carnassials are larger than those of a domestic dog.
adjective
- Relating to or describing a sharp, blade-like tooth adapted for shearing flesh, found in many carnivorous mammals.
- The lion's carnassial teeth are essential for slicing through meat.
- The fossil showed the carnassial structure typical of ancient predators.
- Dogs have carnassial teeth that help them tear apart their food.