dog-tooth

A stone archway features a dog-tooth pattern along its edge.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • Architectural ornament: "dog-tooth" refers to a decorative motif in architecture, consisting of a series of pointed, tooth-like projections, often used in medieval stonework (e.g., in Norman or Gothic buildings).
   • A tooth of a dog: Literally, a canine tooth of a dog, though this usage is rare outside veterinary or biological contexts.

Usage Examples

• Architectural ornament:

  • The Norman church doorway was adorned with a beautiful dog-tooth pattern. (A series of pointed, tooth-like carvings decorated the stone arch.)
  • Medieval masons often incorporated dog-tooth motifs into arches and cornices. (They used a repeated pointed design as ornamentation.)

• Literal tooth:

  • The veterinarian examined the dog's dog-tooth for signs of decay. (The canine tooth was checked for damage.)

Advanced Usage

• "Dog-tooth check": A pattern used in textiles (e.g., tweed or houndstooth), though this is a distinct term often confused with "dog-tooth." It is a two-tone, broken-check pattern resembling jagged teeth.
  • He wore a jacket with a dog-tooth check pattern. (The fabric had a pointed, geometric design.)

Variants and Related Words

• Dog-toothed (adj): having or decorated with dog-teeth.

  • The dog-toothed arch was a hallmark of Romanesque architecture. (The arch featured pointed, tooth-like carvings.)

• Dog-teeth (n, plural): alternative term for the same architectural ornament.

Synonyms

• Zigzag ornament: a pattern of angular, tooth-like shapes.
• Notchwork: a decorative technique using small, pointed cuts.

Phrasal Verbs

• (No common phrasal verbs are associated with "dog-tooth.")

Related Idioms

• (No common idioms are associated with "dog-tooth.")