Fang, n.
1. Zool. The tusk of an animal, by which the prey is seized and held or torn; a long pointed tooth; esp., 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. Anat. The root, or one of the branches of the root, of a tooth. See Tooth.
4. Mining A niche in the side of an adit or shaft, for an air course.
5. Mech. 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. Naut. (a) The valve of a pump box. (b) 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. [Scot.]
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