Definition

1. Noun:
   • The small projection of a mammary gland: A teat is the nipple-like structure on a breast or udder through which milk is drawn by an infant or young animal.

Usage

• The word "teat" is a standard, anatomical term. It is commonly used in biological, veterinary, and agricultural contexts.
• It can refer to the nipple of female mammals, including humans, though in everyday human contexts, "nipple" is more common.
• It also specifically refers to the rubber nipple on a baby's bottle.

Examples

• Noun:
  • The newborn calf struggled to find its mother's teat.
  • Ensure the teat on the baby's bottle is clean and not clogged.
  • The sow had enough teats for her entire litter of piglets.

Advanced Usage

• "Teat cup": In milking machinery, this is the part that fits over the cow's teat to extract milk.
  • The automatic milker uses a pulsating vacuum on the teat cup.

Variants and Related Words

• Nipple (n): The more common term for the human teat; the small projection on a breast.
  • Nipple can also refer to a similar-shaped mechanical part, like on a grease gun.
• Mammilla (n): A formal, anatomical synonym for teat or nipple.

Synonyms

• Nipple: The small projection of a breast, especially in humans.
• Papilla: A small nipple-shaped projection, often used in biological contexts.
• Dug: An older or informal term for the teat of a female mammal, especially when referring to animals.

Related Phrases

• "On the teat": (Informal, often derogatory) To be dependent on someone or something for support, like a suckling infant.
  • He's 30 years old and still on the teat of his parents.

Noun

1. the small projection of a mammary gland