Definition

1. Noun:
   • A carved pyramidal ornament; used in 13th century England: A specific type of architectural decoration, typically a four-pointed star or pyramid shape, often found in medieval Gothic architecture.
   • One of the four pointed conical teeth (two in each jaw) located between the incisors and the premolars: In anatomy, a canine tooth; the pointed tooth used for tearing food.
   • Perennial woodland spring-flowering plant; widely cultivated: A common name for plants of the genus Erythronium, also known as trout lily or fawn lily, known for their mottled leaves and nodding flowers.

Examples of Usage

• Noun (Architecture):

  • The stone archway was decorated with intricate dogtooth carvings.
  • A classic feature of Early English Gothic style is the use of dogtooth ornamentation.

• Noun (Anatomy):

  • The dentist noted that the patient's upper dogtooth was slightly chipped.
  • Carnivores have well-developed dogteeth for gripping prey.

• Noun (Botany):

  • A carpet of white dogtooth violets covered the forest floor in spring.
  • She planted dogtooth lilies in her shady garden.

Advanced Usage

• "Dogtooth violet": A common name for Erythronium plants, though they are not true violets.

  • The dogtooth violet is one of the first wildflowers to bloom.

• "Dogtooth spar": A mineralogical term for a variety of calcite crystals with a pointed, tooth-like shape.

  • The geologist identified the specimen as dogtooth spar.

Variants and Related Words

• Dogtoothed (adj): Having teeth resembling those of a dog; or, in architecture, decorated with dogtooth ornaments.

  • The dogtoothed molding ran along the cornice.

• Canine (n): The formal anatomical term for a dogtooth.

  • Humans have four canines.

• Erythronium (n): The botanical genus name for the dogtooth lily plant.

Synonyms

• Architecture: Pyramidal ornament, star ornament.
• Anatomy: Canine tooth, cuspid, eyetooth.
• Botany: Trout lily, fawn lily, adder's tongue.

Related Phrases

• Dogtooth pattern (n): A fabric or design pattern featuring a jagged, tooth-like shape, notched like a canine tooth. (Note: This is a related compound term, not the primary definition of "dogtooth" alone).
  • He wore a classic suit in a grey dogtooth pattern.

Noun

1. a carved pyramidal ornament; used in 13th century England
2. one of the four pointed conical teeth (two in each jaw) located between the incisors and the premolars
3. perennial woodland spring-flowering plant; widely cultivated