denture
UK: ˈdɛntʃə | US: ˈdɛntʃər
n. a removable plate or frame holding one or more artificial teeth
n. (archaic) a set of natural teeth
The word "denture" emerged in 19th-century English, borrowed from French denture (originally meaning "a set of teeth"). Its Latin root dens is widely preserved in dental terms (e.g., "dentist," "orthodontic"). The suffix -ure systematizes the concept into a functional object—here, an artificial tooth set. The shift from natural teeth (archaic) to prosthetic devices reflects technological progress in dentistry.
After the accident, he needed a partial denture to replace his missing teeth.
Modern dentures are designed for comfort and natural appearance.
She cleaned her denture thoroughly every night.
The dentist adjusted the fit of his upper denture.
In the 18th century, dentures were often made from ivory or human teeth.