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incisor

/ɪnˈsaɪzər/
/ɪnˈsaɪzə/
IPA guide

Other forms: incisors

An incisor is a sharp front tooth, perfectly shaped and paired for the purpose of gnawing and cutting food. Humans usually have eight incisors, but opossums? They have 18!

Did you know you are like the T. rex? You both have incisors! But, there are clear differences. Human incisors are about the size of a small almond and T. rex's were the size of a banana. Either way, these teeth play a crucial role in the initial stages of food processing by aiding in biting and preparing food for further chewing and digestion. Incisors are characterized by their relatively straight edges, making them essential for tasks like tearing into tough foods or biting into fruits and vegetables.

Definitions of incisor
  1. noun
    a tooth for cutting or gnawing; located in the front of the mouth in both jaws
    see moresee less
    type of:
    tooth
    hard bonelike structures in the jaws of vertebrates; used for biting and chewing or for attack and defense
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