pɪd1735–45; < Latin cuspid- (stem of cuspis) point
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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cuspid (ˈkʌspɪd) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —n | |
| a tooth having one point; canine tooth | |
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| deliver saliva to lubricate food |
| any of the four anterior teeth in each jaw, used for cutting and gnawing. |
cuspid cus·pid (kŭs'pĭd)
n.
See canine tooth. adj.
Having one cusp; cuspidate.
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cuspid
in mammals, any of the single-cusped (pointed), usually single-rooted teeth adapted for tearing food, and occurring behind or beside the incisors (front teeth). Often the largest teeth in the mouth, the canines project beyond the level of the other teeth and may interlock when the mouth is closed, restricting the animal to an up-and-down chewing action. Among sheep, oxen, and deer, only the upper canines are large; the lower ones resemble incisors. Rodents lack canines. The tusks of wild boar, walrus, and the extinct sabre-toothed cat are enlarged canines. In some animals (e.g., pig, deer, baboon, gorilla), the male has much larger canines than does the female; these perform a threatening and protective function besides that of tearing. (The tusks of elephants are upper incisors, not canine teeth. Canine teeth are absent.)
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