tooth
UK: tuːθ | US: tuθ
n. a hard, calcified structure in the mouth used for biting and chewing
n. a projecting part resembling a tooth (e.g., gear tooth)
n. (figurative) a means of enforcement or power
The word "tooth" traces back to Old English tōþ (plural tēþ), derived from Proto-Germanic tanþs, which in turn comes from Proto-Indo-European h₃dónts (meaning "tooth"). This root is shared across many languages (e.g., Latin dens, Greek odous). The word has retained its core meaning over millennia, reflecting the universal biological function of teeth. Its spelling and pronunciation evolved through Old English's loss of inflectional endings, simplifying to the modern form.
She brushed her teeth twice a day.
The saw’s teeth were sharp and evenly spaced.
The new law gave the committee more teeth to enforce regulations.
A cavity in his tooth caused him pain.
The gear’s teeth meshed perfectly with the adjacent wheel.