toothy, a.
(ˈtuːθɪ)
[f. tooth n. + -y.]
1. Having numerous, large, or prominent teeth (in quot. 1881 connoting ‘devouring, ravenous’).
| 1530 Palsgr. 327/2 Toothye as one that hath great tethe or plenty of tethe, denteux. 1799 Corse in Phil. Trans. LXXXIX. 208 note, Dauntelah signifies toothy; having large or fine teeth. 1881 F. G. Lee Reg. Baront. ii. iv, Toothy wolves in lambswool. |
2. Furnished with or full of teeth or tooth-like projections; toothed.
| 1611 Cotgr., Dentelé,..toothed, toothie; full of iags resembling little teeth. 1705 J. Petiver in Phil. Trans. XXV. 1960 Its [a shell's] Toothy part is finely variegated with red and black. a 1770 Smart Hop-Gard. ii. Poems (1810) 41/1 Next expand The smoothest surface with the toothy rake. |
3. fig. ‘Biting’, ill-natured, peevish. (Cf. teethy a.1) north. dial. and Sc.
| 1691 Ray N.C. Words, Toothy, peevish, crabbed. 1787 Burns Willie's Awa vi, Toothy critics by the score, In bloody raw! 1824 S. E. Ferrier Inher. xxiv. ‘I suspect that's your case..’, retorted Miss P., in a very toothy manner. |
4. Toothsome, palatable. rare.
| 1864 Athenæum 8 Oct. 456/2 A most toothy meal I had of it! 1889 Alien. & Neurol. July 459 Meat or game, which is at first tough, becomes more tender and toothy. |