denticle

noun
den·​ti·​cle | \ ˈden-ti-kəl How to pronounce denticle (audio) \

Definition of denticle

: a conical pointed projection (such as a small tooth)

Examples of denticle in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Now, denticles, the toothlike protrusions that cover the skin of sharks, can be added to the list. Quanta Magazine, "Ancient Turing Pattern Builds Feathers, Hair — and Now, Shark Skin," 2 Jan. 2019 Researchers from the University of Florida recently discovered that shark denticles are laid down by a Turing-like mechanism directed by the same genes responsible for feather pattern formation. Quanta Magazine, "Ancient Turing Pattern Builds Feathers, Hair — and Now, Shark Skin," 2 Jan. 2019 Recently, evolutionary biologists and engineers from Harvard University (along with colleagues from the University of South Carolina) explored how a shark skin's denticles—or small scales—can reduce drag and increase lift. Katherine Lagrave, Condé Nast Traveler, "Sharks May Hold the Secret to Faster Planes," 22 Mar. 2018 There are new wetsuits that have copied the overlapping teeth-like denticles of shark skin to reduce drag, and goggles that copy how fish and some flowers trap water to create a clearer view. Matthew Berger, Smithsonian, "Dolphins Have a Mysterious Network of Veins That Could Be Key to Preventing the Bends," 26 May 2018 Though shark skin appears smooth, it's actually covered in tiny toothlike scales called denticles. Sydney Pereira, Newsweek, "To Fly Faster, Humans Look to the Mysteries of Shark Skin," 7 Feb. 2018 The team reasoned that some cameras stuck longer because the manta’s skin had more mucus, which filled in the gaps between denticles and made for a stronger seal. National Geographic, "How Do You Stick a Camera on a Manta Ray? Peanut Butter," 12 May 2017 Numerous small denticles typically cover the palate, sometimes accompanied by a few larger teeth. Darren Naish, Scientific American Blog Network, "The Microsaurs of Yore," 7 July 2017 In the scans, the scientists found both the oil-transporting capillaries and tiny, scale-like denticles around the opening of each pore. National Geographic, "Natural Lube Powers One of World's Fastest Fish," 6 July 2016

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'denticle.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of denticle

14th century, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for denticle

Middle English, from Latin denticulus, diminutive of dent-, dens

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More Definitions for denticle

denticle

noun
den·​ti·​cle | \ ˈdent-i-kəl How to pronounce denticle (audio) \

Medical Definition of denticle