mouth hook

noun

: one of a pair of hooked larval mouthparts of some dipteran flies that function as jaws

Word History

First Known Use

1935, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of mouth hook was in 1935

Dictionary Entries Near mouth hook

mouth harp

mouth hook

mouthiness

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Mouth hook.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mouth%20hook. Accessed 7 Feb. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See All

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

More Commonly Misspelled Words

Words You Always Have to Look Up

Your vs. You're: How to Use Them Correctly
See All

Popular in Wordplay

See All

More Words with Remarkable Origins

8 Words with Fascinating Histories

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments

Birds Say the Darndest Things

10 Words from Taylor Swift Songs (Merriam's Version)
See All

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
three adorable short hair black and tan dachshund and a domestic cat
Odd Word Out: Phrases Quiz Spot the word that doesn't fit