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Fang

1. (Science: zoology) The tusk of an animal, by which the prey is seized and held or torn; a long pointed tooth; especially, one of the usually erectile, venomous teeth of serpents. Also, one of the falcers of a spider. Since i am a dog, beware my fangs. (Shak)

2. Any shoot or other thing by which hold is taken. The protuberant fangs of the yucca. (Evelyn)

3. (Science: anatomy) The root, or one of the branches of the root, of a tooth. See tooth.

4. (Science: chemical) a niche in the side of an adit or shaft, for an air course.

5. (Science: mechanics) a projecting tooth or prong, as in a part of a lock, or the plate of a belt clamp, or the end of a tool, as a chisel, where it enters the handle.

6. The valve of a pump box. A bend or loop of a rope. In a fang, fast entangled. To lose the fang, said of a pump when the water has gone out; hence: to fang a pump, to supply it with the water necessary to make it operate.

Origin: From fang,; cf. As. Fang a taking, booty, g. Fang.