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# denticle

«denticle» in Mova's school dictionary: **One of the tiny tooth-like scales that cover the skin of…** — its meaning for a pupil, its sense in the lessons and examples, with 1 sentence of Mova's corpora that use it.

### part of speech

noun (a denticle, denticles)

### meaning for a pupil

1) (science) One of the tiny tooth-like scales that cover the skin of sharks and rays, making it feel rough like sandpaper; also called «dermal denticles». [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/denticle/#m1)

2) Any small tooth or tooth-shaped bump, for example on a leaf edge, insect leg or shell. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/denticle/#m2)

### sense in the lessons

In science lessons on sea animals and adaptation, shark skin is covered in denticles that point backwards; they reduce drag, help sharks swim fast and quietly, and stop barnacles and algae sticking. Engineers copied them (biomimicry) for swimsuits, boat hulls and hospital surfaces. Phrases: «dermal denticles», «shark denticles».

### examples

- Shark skin is covered in tiny denticles. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/denticle/#x1)
- Stroke a shark from tail to head and the denticles feel like sandpaper. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/denticle/#x2)
- Denticles help sharks glide through the water. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/denticle/#x3)
- Scientists copied shark denticles to make faster swimsuits. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/denticle/#x4)
- Each denticle is built like a tiny tooth. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/denticle/#x5)
- Under the microscope, the denticles looked like little ridged shields. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/denticle/#x6)

### note

Said «DEN-tih-kul». Plural: denticles. It comes from Latin «dens», tooth (as in «dentist»). Fun fact: a shark's denticles are made of the same materials as teeth (enamel-like outer layer and dentine), not the same as fish scales.

### In the corpora

- [Shark skin is covered in tiny tooth-like scales called dermal denticles that help water flow smoothly, and some swimsuits copy them.](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/school/biology/28-sharks/14/)

### Trees and pragmatics

[Every meaning and example of «denticle» parsed by Mova](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/denticle/), each sentence with its dependency tree and frames.