The English language is full of words that are not commonly used in everyday conversation. One such word is “bifanged.” This word may sound unfamiliar, but it has a specific meaning that can be useful to know.
Definitions
Bifanged is an adjective that describes something that has two fangs. Fangs are the long, pointed teeth that some animals, such as snakes and vampires, have. Therefore, if something is bifanged, it has two of these teeth.
Origin
The word bifanged comes from the Latin word “bi-” meaning “two” and “fangere” meaning “to bite.” The word has been in use in English since at least the 17th century.
Meaning in different dictionaries
The meaning of bifanged is consistent across different dictionaries. It is defined as having two fangs or tooth-like projections.
Associations
Bifanged is often associated with animals that have fangs, such as snakes, spiders, and vampires. It can also be used metaphorically to describe a person or thing that is dangerous or threatening.
Synonyms
Synonyms for bifanged include “two-fanged,” “double-fanged,” and “bicuspid.”
Antonyms
The antonym of bifanged would be “unifanged,” meaning something that has only one fang.
The same root words
Bifanged is derived from the Latin word “fangere,” which means “to bite.” Other words that share this root include “fang,” “fangs,” “effigy,” and “defang.”
Example Sentences
- The snake was bifanged, with two long, sharp fangs that could inject venom into its prey.
- The vampire’s bite was bifanged, leaving two puncture wounds on the victim’s neck.
- The spider had bifanged mandibles that it used to catch its prey.
- The statue of the dragon had bifanged teeth that looked menacing.
- The dog’s bark was bifanged, sounding both aggressive and intimidating.