What does sectorial mean?
Sectorial means relating to a sector, a division of a larger area, system, or field. The word can also describe a tooth adapted for cutting or shearing, particularly one of the specialized teeth found toward the back of the jaws of carnivorous mammals. These teeth work against one another in a manner comparable to scissors, which explains the descriptive verb sector, meaning to cut or divide. In general writing, the less specialized word sectoral or sectional may be preferable when the intended sense is simply connected with a division. As a noun, a sectorial is the cutting tooth itself. Although understood in British and American English, sectorial is chiefly formal, scientific, or zoological rather than everyday vocabulary.
Relating to or constituting a sector; in zoology, adapted for cutting or shearing.
"The museum display compares the sectorial teeth of several carnivorous mammals."
The zoological sense is technical and usually refers to teeth that cut or shear flesh.
A tooth specialized for cutting or shearing, especially one of the functional teeth of a carnivorous mammal.
"The carnassial is the most prominent sectorial in the upper jaw."
This noun form is uncommon and occurs mainly in zoological and anatomical writing.
Used when referring to multiple sectorial teeth; the form is uncommon outside specialized contexts.
"The animal's large sectorials are adapted for shearing meat."
A carnivore's sectorial teeth work together like built-in scissors, shearing flesh rather than grinding it.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does sectorial come from?
Sectorial was formed in English from sector and the suffix -ial. The noun sector comes through Old French from Latin sector, a cutter, ultimately from secāre, “to cut.” Sectional and sectoral also trace their English forms to the same Latin root, although they developed with different suffixes and uses.
Related word forms
How sectorial is actually used
The word is uncommon outside technical contexts. Its zoological use is especially associated with the cutting teeth of carnivorous mammals; in general writing, sectoral or sectional may be more familiar.
Easily confused with sectorial
Sectorial most commonly means relating to a sector or, in zoology, adapted for cutting, whereas sectoral is often used for something dividing an area into sectors or for a type of harmonic organization in music.
Sectorial is related to a sector, while secular means relating to a long period of time or to matters not connected with religion.