denticle, n. (a.)
(ˈdɛntɪk(ə)l)
[ad. L. denticulus, dim. of dent-em tooth. Cf. denticule.]
1. A small tooth or tooth-like projection. (In quot. 1391, a pointer on the ‘rete’ of the astrolabe.)
| c 1391 Chaucer Astrol. i. §23 Thin Almury is cleped the denticle of capricorne or elles the kalkuler. 1578 Lyte Dodoens i. xcix. 140 Leaves dented round aboute with small denticles. 1761 Gaertner in Phil. Trans. LII. 81, 5 small denticles, that surround a cavity placed in their middle. 1877 Huxley Anat. Inv. Anim. v. 237 Two powerful teeth..besides minute accessory denticles. 1881 Mivart in Nature No. 615. 337 A sharp tooth, or denticle, at the inner side of the base of each claw. |
2. Arch. = dentil.
| 1674 Blount Glossogr., Denticle..also that part of the Chapiter of a Pillar, which is cut and graven like teeth. 1723 Chambers tr. Le Clerc's Treat. Archit. I. 40 The distances of the Columns..are adjusted by a certain number of Denticles..the first Denticle A, and the last B, being each cut..by the..Axes of the Columns. Ibid. 43 The Denticle is that large square Moulding underneath the Ovolo. 1761 Kirby Perspect. Architect. 39 From the dentals already drawn the others are to be taken, and also the denticles. |
† B. adj. Toothed, denticulated. Obs.
| 1574 Eden tr. Taisner's de Natura Magnetis Ded., Turned or moued with certayne litle denticle wheeles. |