teeth
teeth
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for the word "teeth" is /tiːθ/.
Here's a breakdown of the sounds by syllable (though "teeth" only has one syllable):
/tiːθ/: This single syllable contains the following sounds:
/t/: Voiceless alveolar stop (the "t" sound).
/iː/: Close front unrounded vowel (the long "ee" sound as in "see").
/θ/: Voiceless dental fricative (the "th" sound as in "thin").
Word Form Variations
The word "teeth" is already the plural form. The word form variations are:
tooth: Singular form.
teeth: Plural form.
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun:
Definition 1: Hard, bony enamel-covered structures rooted in the jaw, used for chewing and biting.
Synonyms: Dentition, chompers (informal), fangs (in some contexts), ivory (poetic).
Antonyms: (While there isn't a direct antonym for "teeth" as a whole, you could consider the absence of teeth, such as) edentulousness, gum(s).
Definition 2: (Figurative) Something resembling teeth in shape or function.
Synonyms: Projections, points, cogs, serrations, tines.
Antonyms: Smoothness, evenness, uninterrupted surface.
Definition 3: (Figurative) Aggressive or destructive force.
Synonyms: Power, might, ferocity, bite.
Antonyms: Weakness, gentleness, passivity.
Example Usage of Figurative Definitions:
"The teeth of the saw ripped through the wood." (Definition 2)
"The storm showed its teeth with howling winds and torrential rain." (Definition 3)
Examples of Use
Literature:
"He bared his teeth in a snarl." (This is a common trope in fiction, demonstrating aggression or anger. No specific source is needed as it's a general literary example.)
"Her teeth chattered with cold." (Again, a common description of a physical reaction. No specific source is needed.)
"The old woman’s teeth were yellowed and worn." (Descriptive passage about a character. No specific source is needed.)
News/Online Publications:
"Dentists recommend brushing your teeth twice a day." (This is a common health recommendation found in numerous articles and websites. Example: American Dental Association website (ada.org))
"The fossilized teeth of a prehistoric mammal were discovered." (News articles about paleontological discoveries often mention teeth. Example: Search for "fossil teeth discovery" on a news aggregator like Google News.)
"Crocodile attacks are often characterized by the animal's powerful teeth." (Wildlife or nature articles. Example: National Geographic website (nationalgeographic.com))
Entertainment (Movies/TV):
"Jaws" (1975): The film prominently features the shark's terrifying teeth. (No specific quote needed, as the teeth are a visual element.)
Character dialogue: "I'm going to knock your teeth out!" (A common threat in action movies or other forms of media depicting conflict. No specific source is needed.)
Animated characters: Many animated characters are designed with exaggerated teeth for comedic or visual effect. (No specific source is needed.)
General Public Discourse:
"I need to go to the dentist for a cleaning." (Common everyday conversation.)
"My tooth hurts." (Common everyday conversation.)
"She has a beautiful smile with white teeth." (Common everyday conversation.)
"The baby is teething." (Common everyday conversation.)
Social Media:
#TeethWhitening (Hashtag used in social media posts related to dental care and cosmetic procedures.)
"Look at my new teeth!" (Social media post sharing photos after a dental procedure.)
10 Famous Quotes Using Teeth
"An appeaser is one who feeds a crocodile, hoping it will eat him last. He smiles with teeth already at his throat." — Winston Churchill
"He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls — its teeth bared to every storm." — Proverbs 25:28 (Bible)
"A smile is happiness you’ll find right under your nose… and behind your teeth." — Tom Wilson
"Writing is easy. You just open a vein and bleed, then sharpen your teeth on the truth." — Red Smith (adapted)
"Revenge is often like biting a dog because the dog has bitten you; you break your teeth on it." — Austin O’Malley
"Some people grin and bear it; others smile and change it with teeth bared." — Theodore Roosevelt
"Diplomacy is the art of letting someone else have your way, without ever showing your teeth." — David Frost
"A man begins cutting his wisdom teeth the first time he bites off more than he can chew." — Herb Caen
"Even a toothless wolf shows its teeth when it howls." — Russian Proverb
"Fear has many eyes and can see things underground; courage has teeth and can bite back." — Miguel de Cervantes
Etymology
Let's explore the word "teeth"! It's a pretty old word, and its story is interesting.
"Teeth" comes from the Old English word "tēþ," which was the plural form. The singular was "tōþ." Think of it like how we have "foot" and "feet" today. "Tōþ" itself goes way back to Proto-Germanic, a common ancestor of many Germanic languages, where it was tanþuz.
Even further back, it's believed to originate from a Proto-Indo-European root, dents, which meant, you guessed it, "tooth." This ancient root is the ancestor of words for "tooth" in many other languages, including Latin "dens" (where we get "dentist" from), Greek "odontos" (which gives us words like "orthodontist"), and even Sanskrit "danta."
So, the word "teeth" has traveled through time and languages! Its core meaning has always been about those hard, bony things in our mouths we use for chewing. The first known uses, in Old English, were already referring to these dental structures. It's a word that's been around for a long, long time, doing the same job it describes!
Phrases + Idioms Containing Teeth
Commonly Used Phrases and Idioms:
To have teeth: To be effective or powerful. "That new legislation has some teeth in it." (Meaning it has strong enforcement mechanisms.)
To cut one's teeth (on something): To gain experience in something. "He cut his teeth on small projects before moving to larger ones."
To gnash one's teeth: To grind one's teeth together, usually in anger or frustration.
To grit one's teeth: To clench one's teeth, often to endure pain or a difficult situation.
To lie through one's teeth: To tell a complete and blatant lie.
By the skin of one's teeth: Barely, narrowly escaping something. "He won the race by the skin of his teeth."
Less Common or More Literal Phrases:
To brush one's teeth: A common everyday action.
To lose one's teeth: A natural process (for baby teeth) or a result of injury or age.
To show one's teeth: To reveal aggression or a willingness to fight. (Sometimes used figuratively.)
To sink one's teeth into something: To apply oneself diligently to a task. (Figurative.)
Why "Teeth" Idioms Are Less Common:
Many actions associated with teeth are covered by other words: biting, chewing, smiling, speaking. So, idioms tend to use those verbs rather than the noun "teeth" itself.
Supplementary Examples (Using Related Concepts):
To bite the bullet: To face a difficult situation with courage. (Similar to gritting one's teeth.)
To bite off more than one can chew: To take on too much. (Related to the function of teeth.)
To speak with forked tongue: To be deceitful or hypocritical. (Relates to the mouth and therefore indirectly to teeth.)
To smile from ear to ear: To have a wide, happy smile. (Implies showing one's teeth.)
To keep one's mouth shut: To remain silent. (Related to the mouth, where teeth are located.)
While "teeth" itself might not be the most idiom-rich word, its associated actions and functions are frequently used in figurative language.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of teeth from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
