fang

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: B2 — Upper-Intermediate

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun a Bantu language spoken in Cameroon
  2. noun an appendage of insects that is capable of injecting venom; usually evolved from the legs
  3. noun canine tooth of a carnivorous animal; used to seize and tear its prey

Etymology

From clipping of fangtooth, from Middle English *fangtooth, *fengtooth, from Old English fengtōþ (“molar tooth”), from feng, preterite of fōn (“to catch, take, seize”). Cognate with German Fangzahn (“fang”, literally “catch-tooth”) and Dutch vangtand. See also related senses of Etymology 3 below.

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