mandible
UK[ˈmændɪbl̩]US[ˈmændəbəl]
n
The jaw or a jawbone, especially the lower jaw in mammals and fishes.
n
Either of the upper and lower parts of a bird's beak.
n
Either of a pair of mouthparts in insects and other arthropods that are used for biting and crushing food.
Morpheme Breakdown
mand
ible
mand
chew
ible
capable of
Etymology
The word 'mandible' has a direct and functional origin, tracing back to the Latin verb mandere, meaning "to chew." This root is combined with the adjectival suffix -ibilis, which denotes capability, to form the Late Latin term mandibula, literally "that which is capable of chewing" or "the chewing bone." This term was specifically applied to the jaw, the instrument of mastication. The logic is perfectly transparent: the anatomical part is named for its primary action. The word entered English in the late Middle English period via Old French, retaining its core reference to a jaw or jaw-like structure used for biting.
Analysis
Structure: mand (chew) + ible (capable of)
mand (from Latin mandere, meaning "to chew"); ible (a suffix from Latin -ibilis, forming adjectives meaning "capable of, fit for").
Examples
The anthropologist studied the shape and size of the ancient hominid's mandible.
The bird used its powerful mandible to crack open the hard seed.
The ant uses its sharp mandibles to cut leaves and carry food.