tusk etymology

Etymology:

• Old English tūsc, tōsc ("tooth, tusk, fang")
• Proto-Germanic *tuskōz ("tooth, tusk")
• Proto-Indo-European *dent-sk-os ("tooth")

Meaning:

A long, protruding tooth, typically in the upper jaw, especially of an elephant, walrus, or boar.

Origin:

The word "tusk" comes from the Proto-Indo-European root *dent-, which means "tooth". This root is also the origin of words such as "dental", "dentist", and "denture". The suffix *-sk- is a diminutive suffix, indicating "small". The final *-os is a neuter nominative singular suffix.

Additional Notes:

• In some contexts, "tusk" can also refer to a sharp, pointed projection on other animals, such as the horns of a narwhal or the beak of a bird of prey.
• In the phrase "to have a tusk in one's mouth", the word "tusk" figuratively refers to a secret or piece of damaging information that can be used to intimidate someone.

tusk relate terms

• dandelion

  Etymology The word dandelion originates from the French phrase dent de lion meaning

• dental

  Etymology The term dental is derived from the Latin word dens plural dentes me

• dentifrice

  Etymology The word dentifrice is derived from the Latin phrase dens tooth and fri

• dentist

  Etymology The term dentist is derived from the following roots Greek dentis too

• dentition

  Etymology The word dentition is derived from the Latin word dens meaning tooth an

• denture

  Etymology The word denture originates from the Latin word dens which means tooth

• glyptodon

  Etymology Glyptodon pronounced glyp toe don comes from the Greek words glyptos

• indent

  Etymology Old French endenture from dent tooth ure action result Latin

• mastodon

  Etymology Mastodon is derived from the Greek words mastos μαστός meaning

• orthodontia

  Etymology Ortho Greek Straight correct Dontia Greek Teeth Meaning and Orig

• periodontal

  Etymology Peri Around surrounding Greek Odontos Tooth Greek al Relating to or

• teethe

  Etymology From Middle English tethen from Old English teðian meaning to cause t

• tooth

  Etymology The word tooth has an Indo European origin It is derived from the Proto Indo

• toothsome

  Etymology The word toothsome originates from the Old English word tōðsōm which i

• tusk

  Etymology Old English tūsc tōsc tooth tusk fang Proto Germanic tuskōz toot

• trident

  Etymology and Origin of Trident The word trident comes from the Latin word tridens

• ivory

  Etymology From Middle English ivorie from Old French ivoire from Latin eburneus from

• horn

  Etymology The word horn comes from the Old English word horn which is derived from t

• walrus

  Etymology The word walrus comes from the Dutch word walrus which is thought to have

• narwhal

  Etymology The word narwhal comes from the Old Norse word nárhvalr which is thought

• bone

  Etymology The word bone derives from the Proto Germanic bainaz meaning bone This r

• trophy

  Etymology The word trophy comes from the Greek word tropaion τρόπαιον whi

• take

  Etymology Etymology is the study of the origin and history of words It seeks to trace t

• tooth

  Etymology The word tooth has an Indo European origin It is derived from the Proto Indo

• recipe

  Etymology The word recipe comes from the Latin word recipere meaning to take or rec

• pierce

  Etymology Middle English percen from Old French percier from Late Latin pertusiare