or·tho·don·tics
orthodontics
- pronunciation:
- or
th
dan
tihks
- features:
- Word History, Word Explorer
| part of speech: |
plural noun |
| definition: |
(used with a sing. verb) the branch of dentistry that deals with the correct alignment and position of teeth; orthodontia.
|
| derivations: |
orthodontic (adj.), orthodontist (n.) |
The word
orthodontics was coined in 1909. It was formed from
orthos and
odontos, two ancient Greek words that mean "straight" and "tooth."