GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

Found 2 definitions

  1.       
    
    Lingual , a. [L. lingua tongue: cf. F. lingual. See Tongue, and cf. Language.]
    1. Of or pertaining to the tongue; uttered by the aid of the tongue; glossal; as, the lingual nerves; a lingual letter.
      1913 Webster
    2. lying near the tongue; especially, in dentistry, on the surface of the tooth next to the tongue. Contrasted with buccal, the side of a tooth touching the cheek, i. e. the side opposite to the lingual side.
      PJC

      Lingual ribbon. (Zool.) See Odontophore.

      1913 Webster

  2.       
    
    Lingual, n. A consonant sound formed by the aid of the tongue; -- a term especially applied to certain articulations (as those of t, d, th, and n) and to the letters denoting them.
    1913 Webster

    ☞ In Sanskrit grammar certain letters, as , ṭh, , ḍh, , are called linguals, cerebrals, or cacuminals. They are uttered with the tip of the tongue turned up and drawn back into the dome of the palate.

    1913 Webster