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Teat Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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teat

[ti:t ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

animal anatomy

A teat is an external protrusion on a mammal's body through which milk is delivered to the young. Teats are found in various animals, including cows, goats, and humans, and are typically located on the underside of the abdomen.

Synonyms

nipple, udder.

Examples of usage

  • The calf suckled from its mother's teat.
  • She carefully cleaned the teats of the goat before milking.
  • In some species, the number of teats varies significantly.
Context #2 | Noun

bottles

In the context of baby bottles, a teat refers to the rubber or silicone nipple that a baby sucks on to drink liquid. Teats come in various shapes and sizes to accommodate infants' sucking needs.

Synonyms

nipple, sucker.

Examples of usage

  • Make sure the teat is free of cracks before using it.
  • She chose a slow-flow teat for her newborn.
  • The baby preferred the softer silicone teat.
Context #3 | Verb

milking

To teat means to extract milk from an animal by applying pressure to the teat. This action is commonly performed in dairy farming when milking cows or goats.

Synonyms

extract, milk.

Examples of usage

  • Farmers have to teat the cows twice a day.
  • She learned how to teat correctly to maximize milk production.
  • Teating is an essential skill for any dairy farmer.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Origin of 'teat'

The word 'teat' comes from Old English 'tวฃt', which is related to the Middle Dutch 'tete', meaning nipple, and Old High German 'ziza'. The term has roots in the proto-Germanic '*taitล', which is thought to be derived from a prehistoric source that expresses the act of suckling. The universal concept of nurturing young through breastfeeding is reflected in various languages, where similar-sounding terms are associated with feeding and suckling. The word 'teat' has evolved in English to encompass both its specific anatomical function in mammals as well as its application in modern child-rearing practices, such as teats on bottles for feeding infants.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #23,514, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.