dente

Molar in Milan

Dente is an Italian word meaning tooth, encountered in English almost exclusively in the phrase al dente, which describes pasta or vegetables cooked until firm to the bite rather than soft.

The term literally translates to "to the tooth," indicating food that offers slight resistance when you bite into it.

The risotto was perfectly al dente.

anatomy

tooth

Calcified jaw structure

molarRear crushing tooth
incisorCutting tooth in front
canineOf or like dogs

enamel · root · gum · jaw · bite · chew · fang · tusk · premolar · crown

mechanical

cog

Projecting gear tooth

gearToothed wheel or belongings
sprocketToothed wheel for chains
toothCalcified jaw structure

notch · serration · saw · zipper · rack · pinion · ratchet · blade · prong · tine

cooking

pasta

Shaped wheat dough

firmnessResistance to deformation
textureSurface tactile quality
bitePierce with teeth

noodle · spaghetti · boiling · doneness · chewy · tender · cooked · risotto · penne · fettuccine

Opposites

pasta doneness/texture

denteovercooked

Heated beyond optimal

mushy · soft · soggy · overdone · gluey

Phrases

dental flossThin cord for gums
make a dentAchieve initial impact
dental emergenciesUrgent oral health situations
dental examsProfessional teeth inspections
dental bracesDevice straightening misaligned teeth
dental officeClinic for mouth care

Family

dent, dental, dentist, dentistry, dentate, dentition, denture, dentures, indent

Familiarity: Top 1,000,000
Profile: Used worldwide · Timeless · Everyday, not technical · Rated G