dentalium

noun

den·​ta·​li·​um den-ˈtā-lē-əm How to pronounce dentalium (audio)
plural dentalia den-ˈtā-lē-ə How to pronounce dentalium (audio)
: any of a genus (Dentalium) of widely distributed tooth shells
broadly : tooth shell

Examples of dentalium in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Jamie Okuma’s dentalium shell dress—which debuted on the Santa Fe Indian Market runway back in 2015—combines a traditional craft with a more avant-garde silhouette. Christian Allaire, Vogue, 7 Sep. 2022

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, genus name, from Latin dentalis

First Known Use

1847, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of dentalium was in 1847

Dictionary Entries Near dentalium

Cite this Entry

“Dentalium.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dentalium. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.

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