noun ·Rare ·Advanced level

Definitions

Noun

1. 1
   The pharynx of a rotifer. It usually contains four horny pieces. The two central ones form the incus, against which the mallei, or lateral ones, work so as to crush the food.
2. 2
   The lore of a bird.

Etymology

From Ancient Greek μάσταξ (mástax, “mouth, jaws”).

Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.