makˈsilə noun
( plural maxil·lae -iˌlē, -iˌlī ; also max·illas )
Etymology: Latin, diminutive of mala jaw, cheek; perhaps akin to Albanian mjekrë chin, beard, Sanskrit śmaśru beard, mustache
1.
a. : jaw 1a
b.
[New Latin, from Latin]
(1) : an upper jaw especially of man or other mammals in which the bony elements are closely fused
(2) : either of two membrane bone elements of the upper jaw lying lateral to the premaxillae and in higher vertebrates and man bearing most of the teeth — see fish illustration
2.
[New Latin, from Latin]
: one of the first or second pair of mouthparts posterior to the mandibles in insects, myriopods, crustaceans, and closely related arthropods — see labium 3a