carnassial (karnasial)

and n. [F. car na ière, the sectorial tooth (orig. (se. dent, tooth) of carna ier, carnivorous: see carna ier), + -al.] I. a. Sectorial; adapted for cutting and tearing flesh: applied to the specialized trenchant or cutting molar or pre molar of the Carnivora. IMG:content-3157.png:[blocks in formation] II. n. A sectorial tooth; the last upper premolar or first lower molar tooth of those Car nivora which have a typically carnivorous dentition, as the cat or dog. Owen .